India power cut: Lights back on, reforms promised

India has promised to renew the country’s ageing energy infrastructure after its second massive power cut in as many days. Officials say electricity has now been restored to the nearly 600 million people across the north and east hit by one of the world’s worst blackouts.

Tuesday’s power cut affected 20 states including the capital New Delhi and the eastern city of Kolkata, with a metropolitan population of 15 million.

India’s electricity supply has failed to keep up with the country’s massive economic growth in recent years. Smaller power cuts are part of everyday life in many parts of the country

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who’s accused of stalling massive infrastructure projects, has promised to sign off on major energy reforms.
However, while many urban dwellers waited for the lights to return on Tuesday evening, the power cuts went almost unnoticed by the millions of Indians who still live without electricity.

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