Blackouts announced for BBIN Industrial Belt, No night shifts in Industries

Himachalscape bureau Published: May 9, 2025 | Updated: May 10, 2025 4 minutes read

Solan/Shimla, updated May 10,

Contents

In view of the current security scenario, the District Magistrate of Solan has ordered a complete blackout in the BBIN industrial belt—comprising Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, and Parwanoo—from 8:00 PM tonight until 6:00 AM tomorrow morning. As part of the precautionary measures, all markets in these regions will be closed by 8:00 PM and night shifts in industrial units will remain suspended for the duration of the blackout.

District Magistrate Solan Manmohan Sharma has issued necessary orders have come into force with immediate effect and will continue till further orders.

According to these orders, there will be a blackout at night in the jurisdiction of Baddi Tehsil, Nalagarh Tehsil and Municipal Council Parwanoo of Solan District. This blackout will be from 08.00 pm to 05.00 am. All the residents of these areas will have to switch off all the lights of their houses at 08.00 pm every day. All commercial institutions including shops, hotels and restaurants will have to close at 08.00 pm.

According to these orders, all institutions and work places including government and private buildings, ATMs, sports complexes, hostels, restaurants, religious places, shops and commercial complexes, parks, advertisement boards, liquor shops, washing plants, mining sites will have to close at 08.00 pm every day.

Bus stands, railway stations, bridges and street lighting systems falling under the jurisdiction of local bodies will also remain closed during the blackout period.

It has been clarified in the orders that with the sound of the emergency siren, all types of internal lighting systems will have to be switched off immediately so that a complete blackout can be implemented.

All industrial units operating in the above notified areas will have to suspend their night shifts with immediate effect. Industrial units producing essential goods will have to ensure that no type of light is visible from their premises. For this, these units will have to completely cover all windows etc.

All Gram Panchayats, Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils and Municipal Corporations of the above mentioned areas will have to strictly implement the measures taken from the point of view of national and public safety and ensure that street lights etc. remain completely switched off during the blackout period.

It has been clarified in the orders that solar powered and self-operated lighting systems which cannot be switched off manually should either be disconnected or completely covered.

All residents, commercial establishments and industries have been requested to ensure full compliance with these orders.

Citizens have been requested to remain calm and not panic. All indoor and outdoor lights, including inverters, must be switched off to ensure no illumination is visible from outside. If a warning siren is heard, residents are advised to immediately take shelter in a secure, designated place. People should stay away from windows and glass, and if necessary, lie down on the ground for safety. Windows should be covered using thick curtains or dark paper to block any visible light.

Authorities have emphasized that no suspicious or unattended objects should be touched. Instead, any such item should be reported immediately to the police at 100. If one is travelling during the blackout, vehicles should be pulled to the side with all lights turned off. No one should step outdoors until official clearance is provided by the authorities after the blackout ends.

The administration has advised people to keep essential supplies ready, including drinking water, dry food items, torches with spare batteries, a basic first-aid kit, necessary documents like identification and medical records, and a small battery-powered radio. Residents should recognize the siren signals—an up-and-down wavering siren for two minutes indicates danger, while a continuous two-minute siren signals that the danger has passed.

Cooperation has been sought from all residents to follow instructions issued by the civil defence volunteers and local administration. Everyone has been urged to comply with traffic and security directives without fail.

Residents of the BBIN industrial belt are requested to stay alert and ensure full compliance with the blackout protocols for their safety and the collective security of the region.

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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