Pune: Fire Causes Tripping Of 400kV Talegaon Lonikand Tower Line, Power Outage Faced By 2.49 Lakh Consumers In Chakan, Pimpri, And Bhosari
Pune, March 16, 2025: A fire near the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) 400kV ultra-high voltage substation in Talegaon led to tripping of the Maharashtra Transmission Company’s Talegaon-Lonikand 400kV tower line on Saturday at 3:05 PM. As a result, a power deficit of 346 megawatts occurred, triggering the automatic load management system (LTS) and disrupting electricity supply to 80 power lines under Mahavitaran. This led to a one-hour power outage affecting approximately 2.49 lakh consumers in areas including Pimpri-Chinchwad, Chakan MIDC, Bhosari village, Bhosari MIDC, and Manchar rural areas.
According to reports, an unidentified person set fire to dry grass under a 400kV tower line in Adani’s jurisdiction near the PGCIL substation in Talegaon. This incident caused tripping in the Talegaon-Lonikand 400kV tower line at 3:05 PM, resulting in a power shortfall of 346 megawatts. To prevent potential hazards in the transmission system, the automatic load management system (LTS) was activated. Consequently, power supply from six ultra-high voltage substations, including the 400kV Chakan substation and the 220kV substations at Chakan, Chinchwad, Bhosari, Bridgestone, Theur, and Kathapur, was interrupted.
Due to the activation of the LTS, power supply to 800 high-voltage and 4,000 low-voltage industrial consumers, as well as 35,000 residential and commercial consumers in Chakan MIDC, Shindegaon, Savardari, Varale, Vasuli, Yelwadi, Khalumbre, Sangurdi, MIDC Phase Two, Bhamboli, Kuruli, Nanekarwadi, Chimbali, Nighoje, Sara City, Alandi Phata, and Moi, was cut off for an hour.
Additionally, areas including Pimpri-Chinchwad, Bhosari village, Bhosari MIDC, Jai Ganesh Samrajya, Kiwale, Tathawade, Rahatani, Thergaon, Nigdi, Pradhikaran, Nashik Road, Indrayaninagar, Block J, Q, S, EL, T, General Block, Manchar rural region, Narayangaon east region, Kesnand, Avhalwadi, Perne, Theur, Vadati, Kunjirwadi, Loni Kalbhor, Soratpwadi, Fursungi, and Uruli Devachi also experienced power disruptions from 3:05 PM to 4:05 PM.
Following the tripping of the Talegaon-Lonikand 400kV tower line, engineers and staff from the Maharashtra Transmission Company immediately launched an inspection. Their investigation revealed that the fire beneath the tower line near the PGCIL ultra-high voltage substation was the cause of the incident. The presence of moisture in the smoke from the burning grass led to the tripping of the 400kV line.
The fire was promptly extinguished, and a thorough inspection of the affected tower line was conducted. After ensuring safety and operational stability, power supply was restored to all affected areas.
