Electrical infrastructure worth ₹156 crore damaged by rain in Karnataka

As Karnataka experienced good rainfall this year, the electricity infrastructure took a hit across the State with losses amounting to a whopping ₹156 crore. Around 74,594 electric poles, 5,109 transformers and 1693.19 kilometres of electric lines were damaged by rainfall between April and November

As Karnataka experienced good rainfall this year, the electricity infrastructure took a hit across the State with losses amounting to a whopping ₹156 crore. Around 74,594 electric poles, 5,109 transformers and 1693.19 kilometres of electric lines were damaged by rainfall between April and November.  

While the highest number of electric poles (26,165 worth ₹32,5 crore) fell in areas under Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) jurisdiction, the highest number of transformers (2252 worth ₹39.8 crore) were damaged in areas falling under Hubli Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) jurisdiction. The electric lines in these two regions also suffered the most damage at 735.24 kilometres and 738.56 kilometres respectively, states data presented by Energy Minister K.J. George in the Legislative Assembly. 

“The electric infrastructure was damaged owing to heavy rains, winds, flooding and other natural calamities,” Mr. George said. This large-scale damage, however, comes despite a circular that was sent out in May to power utlities by the Energy Department asking them to implement pre-monsoon contingency plans. Time and again citizens have pointed out that the infrastructure maintenance by escoms is often subpar leading to damage year after year. 

“It is a shame that in a State which has been the pioneer of the electrical sector, we see lacunae in maintenance of electrical infrastructure to this day. Even in a city like Bengaluru where aerial bunching of cables is taking place and underground cables are being laid, lines still get damaged. The pre-monsoon planning is mostly limited to pruning of trees and even that is not conducted scientifically,” said a citizen activist well-versed in the power sector. 

The escoms have spent over ₹140.65 crore so far on repairing and replacing the damaged infrastructure. “The work on rebuilding the damaged infrastructure and restoring power supply has been taken up on priority,” the Minister said.  

Mr. George also said that escoms and other power distribution companies are taking several steps including preventive, pre-monsoon and predictive maintenance to avoid electrical infrastructure damage in the future. The companies have also been directed to keep stock of electrical poles, conductors and other items in their warehouses to restore power in a short span of time to the affected areas.