Molly Ayala
India has witnessed a rapid growth in its electricity sector, with the first demonstration of electric light taking place in Calcutta (now Kolkata) in mid-1879 during British colonisation. This introduction of electricity was a success, and it soon spread to other major cities like Bombay (now Mumbai), where the first electric lighting demonstration took place in 1882. The first electric street light in Asia was lit in Bangalore in 1905, and the country's first electric train ran between Bombay's Victoria Terminus and Kurla in 1925. The first power plant in Darjeeling, established in 1897, was the first hydroelectric installation in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First demonstration of electric light | Kolkata (then Calcutta), 24 July 1879 |
| First electric street light in Asia | Bangalore, 5 August 1905 |
| First electric train | Between Bombay's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (then Victoria Terminus) and Kurla, 3 February 1925 |
| First hydroelectric installation | Darjeeling Municipality, 1897 |
| First thermal power station | Emambagh by Calcutta Electric Supply Co., 1899 |
| First Electricity Act | 1910 |
| First high-voltage laboratory | Government Engineering College, Jabalpur, 1947 |
| First fully solar-powered airport | Cochin International Airport, 2015 |
| Start of regional, state-based grid management systems | 1960s |
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What You'll Learn
The first electric light demonstration in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1879
India is currently the third largest producer of electricity in the world. However, the road to achieving this feat was long and arduous. The first demonstration of electric light in India took place in mid-1879 in Kolkata, then known as Calcutta, during the British colonisation of the subcontinent. The demonstration occurred on the streets of Kolkata, which were previously lit by gas lamps. It was conducted by P.W. Fleury & Co. on 24 July 1879, marking a significant milestone in the history of electricity in India.
The introduction of electric light in Calcutta was a success, and it paved the way for further advancements in the field of electricity in the region. Following the initial demonstration, the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation, then known as the Indian Electric Co., secured the Calcutta electric lighting license on 7 January 1897. The company was registered in London but transferred control to Calcutta in 1970. The success of the electric light demonstration in Calcutta also led to the establishment of a generating station in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1905, which powered the tramway.
The late 19th century marked a pivotal period for the development of electricity in India. In addition to the milestones achieved in Calcutta and Bombay, the first electric street light in Asia was illuminated on 5 August 1905 in Bangalore. This period also witnessed the advent of hydroelectric power in India, with the installation of the first hydroelectric plant near a tea estate in Sidrapong, Darjeeling, in 1897. The generating capacity of this plant was 130KW.
The Electricity Act of India, framed in 1910, played a pivotal role in empowering private companies to generate and distribute electric power. However, access to electricity remained limited to government offices, banks, factories, and similar institutions, while load shedding was a common occurrence. It wasn't until the implementation of the Electricity Supply Act in 1948 that significant steps were taken towards the formation of State Electricity Boards, which were tasked with enhancing generation, transmission, and distribution facilities within their respective states.
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The first electric street light in Bangalore in 1905
The introduction of electricity in India began in the late 19th century during British colonisation. The first demonstration of electric light took place in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 July 1879. In 1882, Bombay (now Mumbai) witnessed its first electric lighting demonstration, and a generating station was set up in 1905 to power a tramway.
However, it was Bangalore that became the first Indian city to have electric streetlights. On 5 August 1905, more than 100 streetlights were illuminated in prominent locations across the city, marking a significant milestone in the country's history. This event attracted notable figures such as JW Mears, the electrical adviser to the government of India, and Sir John Hewett, a member of the Viceroy's council, who had the honour of switching on the lights. The introduction of electric streetlights in Bangalore, or Bengaluru, was the culmination of nine months of power line works carried out at a rapid pace.
The lighting scheme in Bangalore replaced the kerosene lamps that previously lit the city's central areas. Operating these lamps was a laborious task, requiring three men to clean the black smoke left by burning fuel, pump gas, and light the flame each evening. The introduction of electric streetlights was a significant improvement and was celebrated by the city's residents.
Within a year of the initial installation, the number of streetlights in Bangalore had increased to 861, and there were also 1,639 domestic connections. The Bangalore Power and Lighting Scheme charged residents Re 1 per month for an electric bulb, which was considered a steep fare. Despite this, affluent residents proudly displayed their new sources of illumination.
Today, while power problems persist in Bangalore, the city's history as a pioneer in electric street lighting in India and Asia is an important chapter in the country's journey towards electrification.
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The first electric train in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1925
The introduction of electricity in India began in earnest with the first demonstration of electric light in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 July 1879. This was soon followed by a similar demonstration in Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1882, and the establishment of a generating station in the city in 1905 to power a tramway.
The electrification of India's railway system began in the early 20th century, with the first electric train introduced in Bombay in 1925. More specifically, on 3 February 1925, the inaugural electric train departed from Platform No. 2 of the Victoria Terminus (now Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, or CSMT) and arrived in Kurla. This 16-kilometre journey was made using 1500 Volts (V) Direct Current (DC) and marked the beginning of clean electric transport in India. The train consisted of four coaches and was driven by Jehangir Framji Daruwala, India's first motorman for an electric train.
The introduction of electric trains in Bombay was significant due to the city's rapidly growing population and increasing commuter traffic. Steam locomotives had struggled with the steep inclines of routes towards Pune and Nashik, and electric traction soon demonstrated clear advantages in terms of power, acceleration, efficiency, and maintenance. Electric locomotives could also handle heavier loads and did not produce pollution.
The electrification of the railway in Bombay began with the Harbour Line, marking a revolutionary shift in railway operations across India and Asia. This development was preceded by the framing of the Electricity Act of India in 1910, which empowered private companies to generate and distribute electricity, although access was limited mostly to government offices, banks, factories, and similar customers.
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The first hydroelectric installation in Darjeeling in 1897
The introduction of electricity in India began with the first demonstration of electric light in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 July 1879. A few decades later, electricity was introduced in Bombay (now Mumbai), with the first electric lighting demonstration taking place in 1882. The success of these demonstrations led to the establishment of a generating station in Bombay in 1905 to power a tramway.
Among the significant milestones in the electrification of India was the installation of the first hydroelectric power plant in Darjeeling, West Bengal, in 1897. Known as the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, it was commissioned on 10 November 1897, with an initial capacity of 2 x 65 kW. The power station was located at the foothills of the Arya Tea Estate, approximately 12 km from Darjeeling town. The site was chosen by the Municipal Commissioners of Darjeeling, who secured a loan of ₹1 lakh (₹100,000) from the government for the project. The machinery and equipment were imported from Britain and transported manually due to the lack of proper road communication.
The Darjeeling Municipality operated the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station, and for the first few years, it ran at a loss due to the limited number of consumers of electrical power. However, as demand increased, additional capacity was installed, with a 135 kW set added in 1905 and another in 1909. In 1916, a new powerhouse was constructed at a higher location, known as the Jubilee Power House, increasing the total capacity of the station to 1000 kW.
Over the years, the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station faced challenges due to water supply limitations and technical issues. In 1931, the machinery was replaced with a more efficient triple-phase transmission system, and the station continued to operate until the early 1990s. In 1978, the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) took over the operation of the station, and it was later damaged by a landslide and closed for a decade. The power station was revived in 1997 to commemorate its centenary, and it was accorded cultural heritage status by the central government.
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The first thermal power station in Calcutta in 1899
The introduction of electricity in India began with the first demonstration of electric light in Calcutta (now Kolkata) on 24 July 1879 by P.W. Fleury & Co. Over a decade later, in 1899, the first thermal power station was established in Emambagh Lane, Calcutta, by the Calcutta Electric Supply Co., heralding the beginning of thermal power generation in the country.
The plant at Emambagh Lane was equipped with three 500-horsepower boilers, which could be extended to 800 horsepower if desired, along with eight dynamos and a storage battery. The chimney at this power station was notable for being the highest in Calcutta, surpassing the nearby water works chimney by 40 feet. This inaugural thermal power plant in the city marked a significant step forward in India's electricity sector, setting the stage for further advancements and expansion.
The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC), the company behind the Emambagh Lane power station, played a pivotal role in the electrification of Calcutta. On 17 April 1899, they commissioned the first thermal power plant, generating 1000 kW of power. This plant supplied electricity at 450/225V DC to streetlights, residential and office buildings, and even the Calcutta Tramways. The introduction of electricity in Calcutta was a success, and it soon spread to other parts of the country.
The impact of the Emambagh Lane power station extended beyond just lighting and power. The popularity of electric fans, for example, ensured the immediate success of Calcutta Electric Supply. Additionally, the use of electric trams was praised for its health benefits, as they contributed to air purification by generating small amounts of ozone throughout the day. This early adoption of electricity in transportation and daily life demonstrates how the establishment of the thermal power station in 1899 was a transformative event in the history of Calcutta and India as a whole.
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Frequently asked questions
The first demonstration of electric light in India took place in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1879.
The first electric lighting demonstration in what is now Mumbai took place in 1882, and a generating station was set up in 1905 to power a tramway.
The first power plant in India was established in Darjeeling in 1897. It was a hydroelectric installation near a tea estate.
The Electricity Act of India, framed in 1910, empowered private companies to generate and distribute electricity to the public. However, most of the customers were government offices, banks, factories, etc.
