Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday, 24 June told the state legislative council that the government is committed to delivering daytime electricity to all farmers in the state before the close of this year. The announcement came during Question Hour, in response to a query raised by legislator Sadabhau Khot, with follow-up questions from members Bachchu Kadu and Pravin Darekar.

Fadnavis confirmed that 75 per cent of Maharashtra's farmers already receive daytime power supply, and that plans are firmly in place to extend the same benefit to the remaining 25 per cent.

Current Power Supply Status

The Chief Minister reassured the House that Maharashtra is not facing any power shortage. Agriculture pumps across the state are currently provided with eight hours of daily electricity in line with state regulations.

Addressing concerns over brief load-shedding episodes in May, Fadnavis explained that simultaneous technical glitches at a few power plants had caused short-term disruptions. He clarified that no load shedding is presently occurring anywhere in the state.

Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme Progress

The Chief Minister highlighted the significant uptake of the Solar Agricultural Pump Scheme, noting that over 10 lakh solar pumps have been installed across Maharashtra in the last three years. The scheme has been adapted to accommodate diverse geographical terrains across the state.

Specialised pump models have been deployed accordingly: Monopole and Booster Pumps serve areas requiring water to be lifted from deep sources, riverbanks, and flood zones, while Floating Solar Pumps are operational across canals and open reservoirs. Farmers in 'dark zone' areas — where groundwater levels are critically depleted — are eligible for special subsidies covering higher-capacity models and booster pumps. Fadnavis added that solar pump users are entirely shielded from electricity billing complications.

Infrastructure Overhaul Under RDSS

To address systemic weaknesses in the state's power distribution network, infrastructure projects worth approximately ₹25,000 crore are underway under the Centre's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The work covers feeder separation, construction of new substations, installation of additional distribution transformers, and broader network modernisation.

Fadnavis expressed confidence that these upgrades will significantly reduce transformer failures over the next three years. This is a critical intervention — transformer burnouts have historically been among the leading causes of unplanned outages in rural Maharashtra.

Long-Term Capacity and Transmission Plans

Looking ahead, Maharashtra has charted a course to achieve a total power capacity of 78,000 MW by the fiscal year 2031–32. Transmission infrastructure work worth ₹16,000 crore has already commenced under the Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB) framework to support this expanded capacity.

Over the next three years, the transmission sector is set to receive a cumulative investment of nearly ₹60,000 crore, according to the Chief Minister.

Mumbai Grid Security and Rooftop Solar

Fadnavis also provided an update on the Mumbai Islanding project, designed to insulate the state capital's power grid against regional collapses or emergencies. Major transmission corridors under the project have been completed, enabling an additional 3,000 MW of power to flow into Mumbai — ensuring the city's grid remains uninterrupted even during broader grid failures.

On the rooftop solar front, Fadnavis noted that Maharashtra has secured the top national rank in rooftop solar installations under the PM-Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. He urged residential housing complexes to adopt rooftop solar systems widely, citing the potential for substantial savings on shared monthly electricity bills. With ₹60,000 crore in transmission investment and a 78,000 MW capacity target on the horizon, Maharashtra's energy overhaul is one of the most ambitious state-level power programmes currently underway in India.