Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:
Around 15,000 consumers faced an eight-hour power outage on Friday after a municipal contractor, carrying out drainage work on Shahnoormiyan Darga Road, allegedly damaged two high-tension underground power lines of MSEDCL while digging with a machine in a negligent manner around 11:30 am. With no electricity supply for hours, residents young and old alike struggled in the intense heat throughout the day.
Power supply was restored at around 8:15 pm after repairs were completed. The 33 kV Pannalalnagar substation receives electricity from MSETCL’s 132 kV substations at Chikalthana and Satara. The 33 kV lines from both substations run underground along one side of Darga Road. However, during excavation near Tapadiya Nagar for the drainage line, both cables were damaged.
MSEDCL teams immediately began inspection and repair work. However, the process of jointing the damaged cable was highly technical and complex. Under the guidance of chief engineer Pawan Kumar Kachhot and superintending engineer Manish Thakre, efforts were carried out by executive engineer Mahendra Deshmukh, additional executive engineer Anis Qureshi, Santosh Adhikar, assistant engineers and technical staff.
Supply restored for 9,000 consumers, but…
As soon as the fault was detected, MSEDCL engineers and staff rushed to the spot. Initially, the load from Devanagari and Chetananagar 11 kV feeders was diverted to Sutgirni and Shivajinagar substations, restoring power to around 9,000 consumers within a short time. However, due to lack of alternative arrangements, several areas including Mondha Naka, Sindhi Colony, Balajinagar, Pannalalnagar, Ramanagar, Kalda Corner, Ajabnagar, Nutan Colony, and Sillikhana remained without power throughout the day. Many homes were left in darkness until supply was restored around 8:15 pm, MSEDCL officials said.
Power shutdown at Baijipura substation today
Work to enhance the capacity of the power transformer at the 33 kV Baijipura substation will be carried out on Saturday from 7 am to 7 pm. During this period, power supply will remain suspended in areas including Jinsi, Roshan Gate, parts of Shahabazar and Juna Bazaar, Shahaganj, Bamboo Market, Jaffergate, Juna Mondha, Ahinsanagar, Baijipura, Sanjaynagar, and all consumers connected to the Baijipura 33 kV substation.
Caption:
Underground power cable of MSEDCL damaged by a machine during excavation work on Dargah Road. MSEDCL officials and staff seen carrying out repair work.