Pune: Electricity supply to various parts of Pimpri-Chinchwad remained disrupted on Monday following a major fire at a Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Ltd (MSETCL) substation a day earlier. Residents in Mhaske Vasti and Wakad reported frequent power interruptions, while supply has still not been fully restored in several housing societies.“The electricity supply was interrupted at 10am on Sunday and was only restored at 11.30am on Monday. We spent approximately Rs22,000 on 260 litres of diesel for our generator during those 24 hours. We also faced significant difficulties in obtaining diesel at night,” said Sandip Yeole, a resident of Horizons at Wakad.Kiran Gurunavar, a resident of Mhaske Vasti, noted that while power was restored on Monday morning, his society is still experiencing severe voltage fluctuations. Despite the official restoration, short power disruptions lasting 15 to 20 minutes continue to occur regularly.Sandip Belsare, president, Pimpri-Chinchwad Small Industries Association, stated that while the supply to industries was not severely impacted, residential areas in Bijlinagar faced significant power cuts.However, MSETCL spokesperson Milind Awatade said power supply across Pimpri-Chinchwad is currently normal and that ongoing repair work is not affecting consumers.Following the incident, MSETCL and MSEDCL officials arranged an alternative power supply to restore the substation in a phased manner. Supply to the Chinchwad station was redirected through the 220 kV Urse substation at 1.50 pm, after which the 220-22 kV, 50 MVA transformer, and auxiliary supplies were restored.An official confirmed that three transformers and interconnecting transformer (ICT) cables were damaged by debris following the fire and explosion. Approximately 60 to 70 MSETCL staff members are currently working to carry out the necessary repairs.“We are investigating the cause of the fire, but a conclusive reason will only be determined after repairs are completed. MSETCL conducts yearly and six-monthly inspections to ensure such incidents are avoided,” the official added.The MSETCL team restored the ICT cables at around 2.46 pm on Monday. Two transformers were made operational at 6.28 pm and 10.20 pm, respectively. While the third transformer is ready, a differential relay fault and damage to some control cables must be rectified before it can be brought back online.“The situation is fully under control, and the ongoing restoration work is not affecting the regular electricity supply to consumers in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad,” Awatade said.
