UP overdrew 1,000 MW in the morning, while Punjab overdrew 500-1,000 MW in the afternoon, said an official in Power Operation System Company that oversees the functioning of the five grids.
Punjab, UP and Rajasthan, in fact, claimed they drew less power than allotted. Chief of Punjab power utilities KD Chaudhary even pointed fingers at UP and Haryana.
While UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav blamed the erstwhile Mayawati government for the power woes, his officials blamed poor maintenance of lines - a responsibility of Power Grid Corporation, a central body.
Despite drawing 22% excess power on Tuesday, Haryana's additional chief secretary of power Ajit M Sharan said the load on the grid did not necessarily led to the collapse.
Though the Centre had ordered a probe, new power minister Veerappa Moily made it clear that he was not interested in a witch hunt.
"At the appropriate time, we will find solutions."