Six Fire Incidents Affect Over 6 Lakh Consumers In Pune; MSEDCL Warns Against Dumping Or Burning Waste Near Power Infrastructure
Six Fire Incidents Affect Over 6 Lakh Consumers In Pune; MSEDCL Warns Against Dumping Or Burning Waste Near Power Infrastructure
Pune, April 2, 2025: Amid rising electricity demand due to scorching summer temperatures, Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has warned against dumping or burning waste near power infrastructure. The company has reported that fires caused by burning sugarcane, grass, and garbage near power lines and substations have resulted in six major faults over the past month, affecting 6.23 lakh electricity consumers and causing financial losses to the company.
Both urban and rural areas have witnessed incidents where dry and wet waste is being discarded near substations, transformers, and power lines, posing a significant risk to the power infrastructure. MSEDCL has urged citizens to refrain from such activities, as they lead to power outages and potential hazards.
Between February 23 and March 28, five fire incidents were recorded under MahaTransco’s tower lines passing through farmlands and forests. These incidents primarily impacted Chakan, Bhosari, and Hinjewadi Phase 1 to 3, causing power disruptions lasting 45 to 60 minutes for nearly 5.96 lakh residential, commercial, and industrial consumers in Pimpri-Chinchwad, Wakad, Bhosari, and Mulshi taluka. Additionally, a fire at a garbage dump near the Navale Bridge in Pune city damaged an MSEDCL power line supplying Amit Substation, affecting 27,000 consumers.
MSEDCL has installed protective mesh and fences around transformers, but in many places, garbage and leftover food are being dumped inside these enclosures. This attracts animals like cats, rodents, birds, and reptiles, leading to short circuits and power disruptions, sometimes resulting in the loss of animal lives.
The company has once again appealed to citizens to avoid dumping or burning waste near public power infrastructure such as feeders, transformers, and substations. It has also requested people to report fire hazards near power installations through its 24-hour toll-free helpline numbers—1912, 18002123435, or 18002333435.
