Haryana is facing widespread electricity disruptions as around 40,000 power department employees and engineers take part in a three-day statewide strike from October 22 to October 24, 2026. The protest has affected electricity supply in several areas, with reports of water shortages, interruptions to industrial operations and difficulties for residents dealing with prolonged power cuts. The strike has been called by the Haryana Electricity Employees and Engineers Joint Struggle Front to oppose a decision by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission (HERC) to grant a long-term electricity distribution licence to a private company for Gurugram and Nuh. Employee organisations argue that the move could pave the way for further privatisation of the state's power distribution network. The disruption has placed pressure on essential services and businesses that depend on a reliable electricity supply. Gurugram, Faridabad and Nuh have been among the areas reporting significant problems. The situation has also raised concerns about the ability of electricity teams to respond quickly to faults while the protest continues. According to reports, around 10 lakh electricity consumers have been affected by the wider disruption. 

Gurugram Reports More Than 3,000 Power Complaints

Gurugram has experienced significant disruption since the strike began. Reports cited by news organisations said the electricity department received more than 3,000 complaints within the first 12 hours of the protest. The complaints included reports of power outages in residential neighbourhoods and areas with commercial and industrial activity. Several localities experienced interruptions, while residents expressed concern about the time required to restore electricity and repair faults. In some areas, power supply problems continued for extended periods. Residents who rely on electricity for water pumps, refrigeration, internet connectivity and other household needs faced additional difficulties. Homes with inverters also experienced problems when backup power ran low during prolonged outages. The disruption has affected people working from home, students attending online classes and businesses that need uninterrupted electricity to operate. Shops and small commercial establishments have also faced difficulties where power cuts have affected lighting, equipment and customer services. The growing number of complaints has highlighted the challenge of maintaining normal operations during a statewide strike. The situation has also increased pressure on the administration to coordinate emergency arrangements and restore supply wherever possible.

Electricity Disruptions Affect Water Supply

Electricity and water services are closely connected in many residential areas because pumps and other equipment require power to move and distribute water. When electricity supply is interrupted, water availability can also be affected. Residents in parts of Haryana have reported difficulties obtaining water during the ongoing disruption. In affected neighbourhoods, households may need to rely on stored water until electricity and pumping operations return to normal. The problem can be particularly difficult for families with elderly members, young children and people who need regular access to clean drinking water. Apartment complexes, residential colonies and businesses that depend on electric pumps may also face difficulties maintaining their usual water supply. In Faridabad, reports described residents expressing frustration over water-related problems linked to the power disruption. The impact has demonstrated how a strike in one essential service can affect other facilities that people rely on every day.

Industrial Units Face Production Disruptions

The Haryana power strike has also affected industrial and commercial activity, particularly in areas where manufacturing facilities depend on continuous electricity to operate machinery. Gurugram is home to a wide range of manufacturing units, warehouses, workshops and commercial establishments. Power interruptions can disrupt production schedules, delay deliveries and increase operating costs. Some industrial units have reportedly had to halt work because of prolonged outages. Reports have also highlighted disruption in industrial areas, including parts of Gurugram. One report indicated that nearly 1,800 manufacturing units had been affected by the wider crisis, although the level of disruption varies between businesses. For companies that use generators as backup, prolonged outages can mean higher fuel and operating expenses. Smaller businesses may find it more difficult to absorb these additional costs, particularly when they have deadlines to meet or goods waiting to be dispatched. Manufacturers can also face losses when production lines stop unexpectedly. Restarting equipment, rescheduling workers and completing pending orders can take additional time even after electricity is restored.

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Why Are 40,000 Electricity Employees on Strike?

The main reason behind the Haryana electricity employees' strike is opposition to a private company's entry into the state's power distribution sector. The Haryana Electricity Regulatory Commission granted Eleven Power Private Limited a 25-year parallel electricity distribution licence for Gurugram and Nuh. The decision allows the company to establish a distribution network alongside the existing state-run electricity distribution company in the specified areas. Employee organisations have opposed the decision, describing it as a step towards the privatisation of electricity distribution. They argue that parallel licensing could affect the position of the existing public-sector distribution network and raise concerns about the future of employees. The unions have also expressed concern about the possible implications for farmers and ordinary electricity consumers. They want the licence withdrawn and have called for a clear policy on the future of electricity distribution in Haryana. The dispute is not primarily about salaries or allowances, according to the employee organisations. Their central demand is that the state should oppose the licensing decision and take steps to prevent what they regard as the gradual privatisation of public electricity services.

What Is the Haryana Government's Response?

The state government has said it will challenge HERC's decision before the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL). Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has assured electricity employees that the government will contest the matter through legal channels and has appealed to the unions to withdraw the strike. Energy Minister Anil Vij has also said the state intends to challenge the licence and seek a stay on its implementation. The government has maintained that it is opposed to the decision and will pursue the legal process. The legal dispute is important because the licence was granted by the electricity regulator, which operates under the statutory framework governing the power sector. The government's challenge will therefore have to proceed through the relevant legal and regulatory mechanisms. The administration has also been working on arrangements to maintain essential electricity services during the strike. However, the scale of complaints and the reported disruption in several locations show that maintaining normal supply remains a significant challenge. The employee organisations, meanwhile, have insisted that the licence should be cancelled. Their position is that a legal challenge alone does not resolve their concerns unless the issue of parallel distribution licensing is addressed.

What Does the Private Power Distribution Licence Mean?

A parallel distribution licence allows an eligible company to distribute electricity in an area already served by another distribution licensee, subject to the applicable regulatory framework. In Gurugram and Nuh, the licence granted to Eleven Power Private Limited has become the focus of a wider debate over how electricity services should be managed in Haryana. Supporters of competition in distribution may argue that additional providers could introduce investment and give eligible consumers more choice. Employee unions, however, have raised concerns about job security, the future of the public distribution network and the possible consequences for consumers.