Pune: No Digging Without MSEDCL Coordination, Says Jagtap After Rain-Triggered Power Outages
Pimpri Chinchwad, 16th July 2026: MLA Shankar Jagtap on Thursday directed civic departments not to undertake excavation work without coordinating with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) after repeated damage to underground power cables caused outages in parts of Pimpri Chinchwad during last week’s heavy rains.
Chairing a review meeting with senior officials of MSEDCL and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), Jagtap said all departments must coordinate with the power utility before carrying out digging work to prevent damage to underground electricity infrastructure. He also instructed officials to immediately inspect and repair dangerous distribution transformers (DPs) in the constituency.
The meeting reviewed measures to ensure uninterrupted, safe and reliable power supply in the Chinchwad Assembly constituency and discussed recurring power disruptions, the condition of electrical infrastructure and long-term solutions.
According to officials, heavy rainfall last week led to power outages in Ravet, Kiwale and Mamurdi. It was found that underground power cables had been extensively damaged during excavation works undertaken by other departments, resulting in repeated interruptions in electricity supply.
Jagtap stressed that no department should undertake excavation work in future without prior coordination with MSEDCL. He also directed officials to conduct an immediate survey of vulnerable power distribution transformers and carry out necessary repairs.
The meeting also discussed plans to strengthen the region’s power infrastructure in view of rising electricity demand. A new 220/22 kV, 300 MVA Mahatransco substation has been proposed at Gahunje to improve the area’s power supply network.
A joint meeting of Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company (Mahatransco) and all concerned departments will be held next week to finalise the project and review its implementation, officials said.
