Pune, 28th June 2023: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have joined forces to tackle the issue of electrocution incidents in the city. Both organizations have initiated comprehensive inspection drives to identify potential hazards and ensure the safety of citizens.
Shrinivas Kandul, the head of PMC’s electrical department, emphasized the importance of assessing the structural stability and electrical fittings of streetlight poles. Additionally, overhead cables that provide internet services will be examined, as they often intertwine with streetlights, leading to damage and potential accidents.
Simultaneously, the MSEDCL has begun scrutinizing electricity poles to identify any threats of electrocution and other related risks. The authorities have urged housing societies and commercial establishments to conduct thorough checks on their electrical connections to ensure safety. This call to action comes in the wake of a recent electrocution incident involving a Kondhwa resident who came into contact with a housing society fence.
PMC officials have outlined their inspection plans, which will be carried out in collaboration with ward offices. The inspections will focus on erosion of poles, damaged cables, switches, broken lamps, and the overall condition of electrical components in streetlights throughout the city.
Furthermore, the PMC is set to undertake a project in partnership with Mahatma Phule Renewable Energy & Infrastructure Technology Limited (MahaPreit) to replace old streetlights. Approximately 7,000 streetlights on Sinhagad Road have already been surveyed and will soon be replaced with new ones. The project will subsequently expand to other areas, involving the installation of new light poles. A revenue-sharing model has been devised for this initiative.
Community activists have also voiced their concerns regarding electrical safety. Sudhir Pawar, a civic activist, highlighted the risks associated with overhead power cables and advocated for underground laying of cables to mitigate hazards and reduce instances of power theft. Additionally, he called for better maintenance of distribution point (DP) boxes to ensure their proper coverage and functionality.
Activist Abhijit More urged the PMC to prioritize the maintenance of light poles, emphasizing that negligence in this area puts people’s lives at risk. He emphasized the need for transparency regarding pre-monsoon maintenance activities related to streetlights in the city.
MSEDCL officials stated that regular inspections and monitoring of power lines and poles are conducted. While the exact number of poles and length of power lines in the Pune zone were not provided, the officials affirmed that section officials regularly oversee power lines to ensure their safety.
In a press statement, MSEDCL acknowledged the potential for accidents due to electrical structures during heavy rains and thunderstorms. They advised citizens to take precautions, such as avoiding contact between switchboards or electrical appliances and moisture. The use of a special metal wire like aluminium alloy as a fuse wire was recommended, and citizens were urged to keep television dishes or antennas away from power lines. Additional safety measures included not using iron on wet clothes, ensuring that switchboards and equipment remain dry, switching off electrical appliances when not in use, and refraining from tying animals to streetlights or electric poles to prevent harm.
The collaborative efforts of PMC and MSEDCL, along with the proactive measures taken by citizens, are crucial in preventing electrocution incidents and ensuring the safety of Pune’s residents.
