Ongoing underground line excavations related to Pune metro and smart city projects, as well as other infrastructure development, have resulted in unintended power disruptions for a significant number of electricity consumers in the Aundh, Baner, and Balewadi areas of Pune. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) is grappling with the challenges posed by these excavations.
Excavations conducted using JCBs, aimed at facilitating metro and smart city projects, have accidentally damaged underground power lines. As a result, around 40,000 to 45,000 electricity consumers in the affected regions have been experiencing power outages. This issue has recurred at 32 different locations over the past three months, causing frustration and inconvenience for the residents.
The ongoing construction work for the Pune metro, particularly in the Baner and Balewadi localities, has led to excavation work that inadvertently damaged MSEDCL’s underground power lines. Metro pillar installations and station construction are currently underway along the University Chowk to Baner-Balewadi road stretch. However, the relocation of power infrastructure along this route was halted in 2020 based on instructions from the Metro authorities. The budget for this relocation has already been approved by MSEDCL.
Concurrently, under the Smart City initiative, construction activities, road expansions, and the excavation of water supply channels are ongoing. While MSEDCL allocated funds for relocating power infrastructure to accommodate road expansion, the road work proceeded without this relocation. Consequently, five 22 KV power lines are now buried beneath a 15-foot deep concrete road. Repairing or addressing these lines is complex and challenging due to their depth and the potential for further damage.
These excavations, carried out by contractors involved in various projects, including the Metro, occurred without adequate coordination with MSEDCL. This has led to accidental severance of power lines at multiple locations over the past three months, affecting both high and low-pressure lines. Residents of areas such as Baner, Balewadi, Aundh, and Sakalnagar have borne the brunt of these disruptions, with frequent and prolonged power outages.
MSEDCL’s engineers and staff members have been working diligently to repair or replace the damaged power lines and to arrange alternative power supply where possible. Some areas have experienced power interruptions lasting for several hours due to the lack of available alternative supply. These disruptions not only affect electricity sales but also impose financial burdens on the company for repairing the damaged lines. The situation is further complicated by instances of multiple cuts at the same location and the challenges posed by the ongoing rainy season on repair work.
