Beatrice Lang
The introduction of electricity to India is a long and complex history, with various cities claiming to be the first to be electrified. Some sources claim that the first demonstration of electric light in India occurred in Kolkata (then Calcutta) in mid-1879 during the British colonisation of the subcontinent. However, other sources suggest that the first city in India to have electricity was Bangalore in 1906, or even Mussoorie in 1909. Regardless of the exact timeline, it is clear that the electrification of India began over a century ago and has since expanded to reach all rural and urban households in the country.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First city with electricity | Kolkata (then Calcutta) |
| First city with electricity (other sources) | Mussoorie, Darjeeling, Bangalore |
| Year of first electricity | 1879 |
| Year of first electricity (other sources) | 1897, 1899, 1905, 1906, 1909 |
| First electric street light | Bangalore, 5 August 1905 |
| First electric train | Bombay (now Mumbai), 3 February 1925 |
| First high-voltage laboratory | Government Engineering College, Jabalpur, 1947 |
| First fully solar-powered airport | Cochin International Airport, 2015 |
| First national grid | December 2013 |
| First legislation | Indian Electricity Act of 1887 |
| First diesel power station | Delhi, 1905 |
| First hydroelectric station | Sivasamudram in Mysore, 1902 |
| Electrification status | 100% of households electrified as of 2018 |
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What You'll Learn
Calcutta (now Kolkata)
Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, was one of the first cities in India to gain access to electricity. The first demonstration of electric light in the city was conducted in mid-1879, during the British colonisation of the Indian subcontinent. This was just a few years after electricity was first demonstrated in London in 1875.
In 1897, Kilburn & Co secured the Calcutta electric lighting license as agents of the Indian Electric Co, which was registered in London on 15 January 1897. The company was renamed the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) a month later. However, control of the company was only transferred from London to Calcutta in 1970.
CESC Limited claims to have commenced electrification of Kolkata in 1899, and it is considered a pioneer in the history of electricity generation in India. The company set up power generation and distribution in Kolkata, and the electrification of the city took place 11 years after London, which was electrified in 1888.
The introduction of electricity in Calcutta was a success, and power was next introduced in Bombay (now known as Mumbai). The first electric lighting demonstration in Mumbai took place in 1882 at Crawford Market. A generating station was set up in 1905 to power a tramway.
Over time, electricity was introduced to other parts of India, with streetlights lit in Bangalore (now known as Bengaluru) and the first electric train running between Bombay's Victoria Terminus (now known as Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus) and Kurla in 1925. The first hydroelectric installation in India was installed near a tea estate at Sidrapong for the Darjeeling Municipality in 1897.
Despite these early developments, the pace of electrification across India remained slow. In 1948, the Government enacted the Electricity Supply Act (ESA) to address this issue and pave the way for the formation of State Electricity Boards (SEBs). However, challenges persisted, and by 2018, while the Indian government announced that the country had achieved 100% electrification of all rural and urban households, power outages and lack of reliable access to electricity continued to be pressing issues.
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Darjeeling
The introduction of electricity to India in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a gradual process, with various cities and towns receiving power at different times. One notable example is the city of Darjeeling, which played a significant role in the country's electrification journey.
The construction of the power station commenced immediately after securing a loan of ₹1 lakh from the government. The site chosen for the project was a picturesque orchard belonging to the Maharajah of Burdwan, who willingly handed over the land for the benefit of the public. The installation of the power station faced logistical challenges due to the lack of proper road communication, requiring all equipment and materials to be transported manually.
On November 10, 1897, the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station was commissioned with an initial capacity of 2 × 65 kW. This made it India's first hydroelectric power station and the first of its kind in Asia. The power station utilised water from nearby Nepalese streams, known as jhoras, which were channelled through a network of flumes to reservoirs and then passed down penstocks to the generators.
As the demand for electricity in Darjeeling grew, the power station expanded its capacity over time. In 1905, a 135 kW set was added, followed by another 135 kW set in 1909. To accommodate the increasing demand, a new power house, known as the Jubilee Power House, was constructed in 1916 at a higher location, increasing the total capacity of the station to 1000 kW. However, the limited water supply constrained further expansion, and by 1931, the machinery was replaced with a more efficient three-phase transmission system.
In 1978, the West Bengal State Electricity Board (WBSEB) took over the operation of the Darjeeling Electric Supply, including the Sidrapong Hydroelectric Power Station. Despite facing challenges such as a landslide in the 1980s that led to a decade-long closure, the power station was revived in 1997 to commemorate its centenary.
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Mussoorie
The advent of electricity in Mussoorie was a significant event that opened up various avenues for development. The water supply improved significantly as pumping water from nearby streams to the water tank at Gunhill became possible. The entertainment industry also received a boost, with Picture Palace and Roxy becoming the town's first cinema halls to be run on electricity. Interestingly, the electric lights in Mussoorie were dimmed for three minutes every evening at 9 pm, which became a signal for the public that it was bedtime. This practice was discontinued in 1934.
Even before the advent of electricity, Mussoorie had street lights as early as 1875. These street lights were set on 'Rurki' lamps that were run by carbide or acetylene gas. The Lucknow Municipality even sent a delegation to Mussoorie to study this unique street lighting. Mussoorie's electrification was made possible by the nearby Galogi power station, which is still functional today and has been enhanced from 750 kW to 3 MW.
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Delhi
The history of electricity in India is a long and complex one, with many developments and changes over the years. Delhi plays a significant role in this history, with a few notable firsts and milestones.
The first recorded instance of electricity in Delhi dates back to the early 20th century. In 1905, a private English company called M/s. John Fleming was granted permission to establish the first diesel power station in the city under the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act 1903. This company set up a small 2 MW diesel set at Lahori Gate in Old Delhi and was responsible for both the generation and distribution of power, albeit in a limited capacity.
Over time, the power sector in Delhi evolved and underwent several changes. In 1911, the original diesel power station was augmented by a steam generation station, increasing the capacity for electricity generation. In 1932, the management of the Central Power House was transferred to the New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC), marking a shift in the administration of power infrastructure.
A significant milestone was achieved in 1939 with the establishment of the Delhi Central Electricity Power Authority (DCEPA), which centralized power generation and distribution in the city. This move streamlined the process and brought various private agencies and local bodies under a single authority.
Post-independence, the Delhi State Electricity Board (DSEB) was formed in 1951, taking over the responsibilities of power generation and distribution from the DCEPA. However, this centralized structure was short-lived, as the DSEB was dissolved in 1957 with the promulgation of the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act. The functions of the DSEB were then transferred to the Delhi Electric Supply Undertaking (DESU) in 1958, which once again decentralized the management of electricity in the city.
The Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB), formed in 1997, was another crucial development in Delhi's electricity sector. It was set up as a State Electricity Board under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948, and was responsible for power generation and distribution across the entire National Capital Territory of Delhi, excluding areas under the NDMC and Delhi Cantonment Board.
In conclusion, while Delhi may not have been the very first city in India to receive electricity (with sources citing Bangalore, Mussoorie, and Kolkata as early adopters), it played a pivotal role in the country's electrification journey. The city witnessed the establishment of the first diesel power station, the formation of pioneering electricity companies, and the evolution of electricity governance through various acts and reforms. These developments laid the foundation for the modernization and expansion of electricity access in Delhi and contributed to the broader progress of India's power sector.
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Bombay (now Mumbai)
The introduction of electricity in Calcutta was followed by its success in Bombay (now Mumbai). The first electric lighting demonstration in Mumbai took place in 1882 at Crawford Market. The Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company (BEST) set up a generating station in 1905 to provide electricity for the tramway.
The Bombay Electric Supply & Tramways Company (BEST) was rebranded to Brihanmumbai Electric Supply & Transport in 1995, along with the renaming of the city. The company now operates as an autonomous body under the municipal corporation.
BEST operates one of India's largest bus fleets, covering the entire city and extending into neighbouring urban areas. In addition to buses, it also operates a ferry service in the northern reaches of Mumbai.
Mumbai has witnessed several milestones in its electrification journey. In 1925, the first electric train in the country ran between Bombay's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (then Victoria Terminus) and Kurla. In 1947, the company that operated the electric supply and trams became an undertaking of the municipal corporation and was rebranded as the Bombay Electric Supply & Transport.
In recent times, Mumbai has continued to embrace technological advancements. In 2022, BEST introduced electric single-decker buses, and in 2023, it deployed the country's first battery-electric double-decker AC bus. Mumbai also became the first city in India to introduce fully digital buses with the "Tap in and Tap out" ticketing system.
While Mumbai has achieved several feats in electrification, it is important to note that India still faces challenges in ensuring consistent power supply across all regions. Despite government claims of 100% electrification of rural and urban households in 2018, thousands of rural households experience power shortages or remain unconnected to the grid.
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Frequently asked questions
There is some debate over which city in India first had electricity. Some sources claim that Bangalore became the first city in 1906, while others state that Kolkata (formerly Calcutta) was the first city in mid-1879.
The first demonstration of electric light in Kolkata took place on 24 July 1879 by P.W. Fleury & Co.
The first power plant in India was established in Darjeeling in 1897 at Sidrapong near Arya tea estate.
The Darjeeling power plant was the first hydroelectric installation in India.
The first electric street light in India was lit in Bangalore on 5 August 1905.
