Surat Textile Mills Face Power Cuts, Electricity Cost Hike

SURAT: Despite the Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL) rolling back the scheduled power cut for the industries, Surat’s textile mills are being squeezed by a double blow of erratic...

The industry has been hit by an increase of 60–70 paise per unit in fuel and variable charges, effective from July 1, 2026, even as mills continue to report power cuts lasting 1.5 to two hours. Mill owners say the combination is increasing operational costs and threatening production efficiency.

According to industry representatives, electricity costs that earlier stood at around ₹7–₹7.50 per unit have climbed to ₹8.50–₹9 per unit. The latest increase has added an estimated ₹4 lakh to ₹5 lakh in costs per mill, while monthly electricity bills have risen by ₹5 lakh to ₹6 lakh over the past two years.

Irregular electricity supply is creating additional problems for units operating modern textile machinery. Mill operators say sudden outages and voltage fluctuations can damage sensitive electronic components and sensors, while restarting machines after interruptions wastes valuable production time.

Although the withdrawal of scheduled shutdowns has offered some relief, unexpected power cuts continue to disrupt operations. Mill owners also argue that dependence on generators is financially unviable amid rising operating expenses.