Pune: Power Cables Damaged Thrice During NHAI Work on Wakad-Chandni Chowk Stretch; MSEDCL Files Police Complaint
Pune, 02 November 2026: Repeated damage to underground power cables during highway widening work between Wakad bridge and Chandni Chowk has raised concerns over the safety of electricity infrastructure, with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) objecting to the manner in which the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is executing the project.
MSEDCL said its underground power cables were damaged on October 16, 17 and 31 during the work, resulting in power outages and inconvenience to consumers, besides causing financial losses to the utility. Despite repeated warnings, the contractor allegedly continued roadwork without ensuring the safe relocation of the cables. MSEDCL has lodged a complaint against the contractor at Bavdhan police station.
The utility said power lines obstructing highway widening and service road construction must be shifted in accordance with prescribed procedures. The agency undertaking the work is required to obtain an estimate from MSEDCL, secure approval and complete the necessary formalities before proceeding. While NHAI has obtained approval for the work within the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation limits, it has not secured similar permission for the stretch falling within Pune Municipal Corporation limits, senior MSEDCL officials said.
Three cable damage incidents
On October 16, a cable supplying power through the 22kV Beverly feeder was damaged during the highway work. The following day, a cable of the 22kV Nia feeder was damaged near Bitwise Chowk. Another cable damage incident was reported on October 31.
The repeated incidents have made it difficult for MSEDCL to maintain an uninterrupted power supply. The utility estimates that repairs and restoration of supply have resulted in losses worth several lakh rupees. Power disruptions have also inconvenienced consumers and affected the utility’s revenue.
Risk to power supply in several areas
MSEDCL has warned that completing the roadwork without properly planning for the 22kV high-tension and low-tension underground power lines could lead to serious problems in the future. Any fault in these cables could disrupt electricity supply to a large number of consumers in Aundh, Baner and Mahalunge.
The utility has stressed that the location of the cables must be identified and they must be safely relocated before the roadwork progresses.
Concern over cables getting buried under concrete
MSEDCL has also raised concerns that cables currently running along the roadside could end up in the middle of the widened road or get buried under the concrete surface. In such a situation, identifying faults and carrying out repairs would become extremely difficult.
If the concrete road has to be excavated to access a damaged cable, restoration work could be delayed, potentially affecting electricity supply to lakhs of consumers. MSEDCL said infrastructure projects such as highways must be executed without damaging essential services such as electricity supply.
Complaint lodged with police
The Baner branch office under MSEDCL’s Aundh sub-division lodged a formal complaint at Bavdhan police station on October 27. The complaint alleges that the contractor continued the work despite prior warnings and without first ensuring the safe relocation of underground power lines.
MSEDCL has urged the police to initiate legal action against the contractor to prevent further damage to public property.
