Power cuts: Underground cables only solution, say officials

However, the solution to the problem rests on laying underground cables. MSEDCL has agreed to spend Rs 967 crore as part of its infrastructure phase-2 upgradation programme. The utility also has ambitious plans to set up 27 sub-stations and 1015 km of underground cable. The setting up of over 800 transformers, 2500 feeder pillars and other works will also be taken up.

The ambitious plan was delayed, earlier this year, due to a controversy over road digging charges between the PMC and MSEDCL. “The issue has been resolved as the charges have now been fixed at Rs 2350 per running meter,” N Raut, public relations officer of MSEDCL, told Pune Newsline.

In areas like Wanowrie, Fatimanagar, Kondhwa, NIBM Road and others, both MSEDCL and Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) have agreed to undertake joint surveys before starting road digging work. According to Edke, “We have completed the survey and are now waiting for PCB authorities to give us the go-ahead to start the road digging work to lay underground cables. This will solve the problem of power disruption in the area,” he said.

When contacted, Vijay Chavan, electrical engineer with PCB, said that a joint survey of the internal roads in Ghorpadi had been completed. “However, we are still to complete the survey of the internal roads of Wanowrie. Some of the roads belong to Military Engineering Services and some are under PCB’s jurisdiction,” said Chavan.

Underground cables have been laid in some areas of the old city under the Rasta Peth circle like Kasba Peth and others. In Wanowrie, Kondhwa and other areas the cost of the project is estimated to be Rs 20 crore.

Aggrieved residents like Murtuza Nalwala who lives at NIBM Road said it was really frustrating that showers often led to power supply failure. “This is not just an one-off incident and occurs regularly. It was raining heavily, this weekend, and there were power disruptions on both Saturday and Sunday night. While the supply was erratic on Saturday, there has been no power from Sunday night till Monday afternoon,” he complained.