India power cut hits millions, among world's worst outages.

  • 12 years ago
Lights out in India.

Hundreds of millions of people in India are without power after grids covering a dozen states broke down.

Traffic police try to do what they can in the second major blackout in as many days.

Authorities are trying to pinpoint the problem.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) CHIEF OF GOVERNMENT-RUN, POWER GRID CORPORATION, R. N. NAYAK, SAYING:

But believe us, we are trying hard. As soon as we find out the hitch, where the problems are, we will see that it is done

Commuters have been left stranded at railway stations.

Passengers say they have waiting for hours with no information about when the trains will be up and running.

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has vowed to fast-track stalled power and infrastructure projects as well as introduce free market reforms aimed at reviving India's flagging economy.

But he is drawing fire from critics that say he is dragging his feet.

Deborah Lutterbeck, Reuters.

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