Braving quarry waters to restore power: broken line repaired by swimming

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

Strong winds in the Chitegaon area caused multiple faults in the MSEDCL power network. A wire of the 11 kV industrial feeder supplying electricity to industrial consumers snapped and fell into a water-filled quarry. Despite several attempts by MSEDCL staff to repair it through conventional methods, the efforts failed. Determined to restore power, two technicians took a bold risk and swam through the quarry water to reconnect the line.

On Friday afternoon, stormy weather led to disruptions across the power infrastructure in the area. The 11 kV industrial feeder supplying electricity to 10 high-tension and 56 low-tension industrial consumers developed a fault. During inspection, it was found that the wire had snapped and fallen into a quarry behind Ramanagar. Supply to 55 consumers was quickly restored by isolating the affected section.

However, faults were also reported in nearby 33 kV lines, which were prioritised for repair. From Saturday morning, efforts resumed to restore supply to the remaining 11 industrial consumers. Attempts were made using a raft and thermocol sheets to reach the broken wire, but these proved unsuccessful.

Finally, MSEDCL technicians Yogesh Jadhav and Shankar Kartade took the courageous decision to enter the water. Swimming through the quarry, they managed to retrieve the broken wire and laid a new phase line, successfully reconnecting the supply. They were assisted by senior technicians Deepak Waghmare, Gorakh Thombre and Ashok Surse.

Supply restored

Under the supervision of assistant engineer Anil Saivar, the work was completed and electricity supply to the remaining 11 industrial consumers was restored around 7 pm. Chief engineer Pawan Kumar Kachhot appreciated the employees for their brave effort.