Pune: Grassfire Burns 7 Power Lines, Disrupts Supply to 4,500 Units in Talwade and Dehugaon

Pimpri Chinchwad, 29th April 2025: A major grassfire in Talwade on Tuesday afternoon damaged seven power lines—four of 22 kV and three of 33 kV—leading to a widespread electricity outage that disrupted power supply to approximately 4,500 industrial units in Talwade MIDC, the adjoining industrial zone, and the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation’s Talwade water supply scheme.

The fire, which started on a hill near a stream around 3:45 pm, quickly spread and engulfed the area where the power lines of Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL or Mahavitaran) were located. It also affected the alternative power lines, compounding the supply disruption.

MSEDCL officials launched an emergency response. Power supply was partially restored to about 1,800 industrial consumers within two hours through alternate arrangements. The remaining 2,700 industrial units, including the water supply scheme, are expected to have power restored in phases by 10 pm, according to Executive Engineer Atul Devkar of MSEDCL’s Bhosari Division.

Devkar mobilized three contractors and six jointers to repair all damaged lines simultaneously. Additional Executive Engineer Kiran Sarode and Assistant Engineer Hrishikesh Bansode visited the site to supervise and expedite the work.

The fire also affected power supply to 2,500 domestic, commercial, and industrial consumers in Dehugaon and Chincholi villages. However, their supply was restored by 6 pm via alternate lines.

This incident marks the ninth fire-related outage in the past two months, raising concerns over the recurring impact of dry grassfires on the region’s power infrastructure.