Pune: Rising Fire Incidents Near Power Lines Disrupt Electricity Supply For Over Six Lakh Consumers

Pune, 2nd April 2025: The increasing demand for electricity due to scorching summer temperatures has put immense pressure on the power distribution network. However, an alarming rise in incidents of burning waste, dry grass, and sugarcane near power infrastructure has caused significant disruptions. Over the past month, six major power failures have affected approximately 6.23 lakh consumers across urban and rural areas, leading to financial losses for the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

Fires near substations, transmission lines, and other power infrastructure have emerged as a major threat to uninterrupted electricity supply. The practice of discarding dry and wet waste near power facilities and setting fire to sugarcane, grass, or garbage heaps under high-tension power lines has resulted in frequent outages. MSEDCL has urged citizens to avoid such activities to prevent damage to the electricity grid.

Several power transmission lines of Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (MSETCL) and MSEDCL pass through agricultural fields and forests in rural and urban areas. Between 23rd February and 28th March, five major fire incidents occurred under power lines, particularly affecting Chakan, Bhosari, and Hinjawadi Phase 1-3. As a result, power supply to small and large industries in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Wakad, Bhosari village, and multiple villages in Mulshi Taluka was disrupted multiple times for 45 to 60 minutes.

In another incident, a fire broke out in a garbage heap near Navale Bridge, damaging the power transmission line connected to MSEDCL’s Amit substation. This caused an outage affecting 27,000 consumers. Overall, these fire-related incidents have led to substantial losses in electricity sales for MSEDCL.

To mitigate such risks, MSEDCL has installed protective mesh and enclosures around public transformers. However, improper disposal of waste and leftover food near these installations continues to attract animals like cats, rodents, birds, and reptiles. When these animals come into contact with live electrical components, short circuits occur, causing power failures and sometimes resulting in fatalities among the animals.

MSEDCL has appealed to the public to refrain from dumping or burning waste near power infrastructure, including transformers, feeder pillars, and substations. Fires from garbage, overgrown vegetation, and dry grass can cause tripping in power lines, leading to widespread outages. Citizens are urged to report any potential fire hazards near power infrastructure by calling MSEDCL’s 24-hour toll-free helpline at 1912, 18002123435, or 18002333435.