Indian power grid operators scramble to prepare for Modi's 'lights off' plan

Migrant workers and homeless people resting inside a sports complex turned into a shelter, during a 21-day nationwide lockdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the country as seen in New Delhi on Saturday (April 4). - Reuters

CHENNAI/MUMBAI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to citizens to switch off lights across India on Sunday (April 5) to mark the coronavirus fight is generating a lot more work and some tough challenges for India's power sector workers.

On Friday, Modi appealed to Indians to turn out their lights for nine minutes at 9pm on Sunday to show solidarity amid the coronavirus lockdown with a show of lamps, candles and flashlights.