BOISAR/TARAPUR | January 7, 2026
The industrial landscape of Tarapur erupted in protest today as over 150 manufacturing units took to the streets in a massive “High Volt Morcha.” Led by the Tarapur Industries Mfg. Association (TIMA), the demonstration signaled a breaking point for entrepreneurs grappling with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited’s (MSEDCL) recent tariff hikes.
The protest was specifically triggered by the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) petition and recent orders from the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), which industry leaders describe as “regressive” and “suicidal” for the state’s manufacturing sector.
Key Grievances and Industry Impact
Industrialists at the rally warned that the escalating cost of power is no longer a mere operational challenge—it has become an existential threat. The core concerns raised during the morcha include:
- Rising MYT Rates: The steady climb in Multi-Year Tariff rates is driving up production costs, making local goods significantly less competitive in the global market.
- Regional Flight: A worrying trend is emerging where factories are shifting operations to neighboring states that offer more affordable power.
- Job Losses: The threat of permanent closures looms over the industrial zone, risking the livelihoods of thousands of local workers.
- Policy Contradiction: Protesters highlighted that these hikes directly contradict the government’s stated goals for “Ease of Doing Business.”
Focus on Hikes, Not Sales: TIMA Critiques MSEDCL Strategy
A spokesperson for TIMA delivered a scathing critique of the state utility’s strategy during the demonstration.
“MSEDCL is focusing on increasing tariffs rather than increasing the sale of energy. This is a direct threat to the state’s economic stability. We are seeing a trend of industries shifting to neighboring states, leading to massive local unemployment.”
The association emphasized that Tarapur MIDC, being one of India’s largest industrial zones, acts as a cornerstone for Maharashtra’s economy. The “High Volt Morcha” served as a stark warning: if the government fails to intervene and roll back these hikes, thousands of workers face a bleak future as units prepare to lock their gates permanently.
Urgent Call for Intervention
TIMA has formally urged the state government to step in and mediate the crisis. The association argues that without immediate relief, the state risks losing its status as an industrial powerhouse to competitors who offer more sustainable energy policies.
