As pre-monsoon showers begin to hit Pimpri-Chinchwad, residents are raising serious safety concerns about damaged streetlight poles and exposed electrical wires across the city. These faulty poles, maintained by the Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC), are putting lives at risk.
In several areas, locals have seen sparks coming from poles due to open wires, increasing fears of electric shocks or even electrocution, especially in waterlogged areas.
Wires Hanging Loose, Poles Rusting
Many of the city’s poles show signs of wear and tear—including rusted metal, damaged junction boxes, and faulty feeder pillars. These parts are especially dangerous during the rains when water can cause short circuits and make the poles live with current.
“Street lights are meant to keep people safe. But if they’re not maintained before monsoon, they turn into death traps,” said a concerned citizen.
No Full Inspection Yet by Officials
Despite these clear hazards, PCMC’s electrical department has not completed a full safety check of the poles across the city. Experts warn that wet electrical devices and poles can be deadly if touched, especially since water is a good conductor of electricity.
Pimpri-Chinchwad uses a 440-volt, three-phase power supply for its streetlights, which means even a small fault can lead to serious accidents.
Who Is Responsible If Something Goes Wrong?
Citizens are now asking: Who will be held accountable if an accident happens? With no immediate repairs, no safety warnings, and no updated inspection data, the risk continues to grow with each passing day of rain.
Residents have urged the PCMC to act quickly, inspect all poles, cover exposed wires, and put safety measures in place before the full monsoon sets in.
The ongoing heavy rains in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad have led to serious problems in the city’s power supply system. Localities such as Kondhwa, Bhosari, Chakan, and Mundhwa were among the worst hit, with many areas facing long power cuts due to waterlogged feeder pillars, broken poles, and fallen trees.
Live Wires Pose Danger, Dogs Electrocuted
In Bhosari, residents are especially worried about exposed live wires near homes and footpaths. Kavita Sethia, a resident, reported that five stray dogs were electrocuted due to unattended wires—four in Kamgarnagar and one in Sant Tukaram Nagar.
“We have been facing constant power cuts since May 20. It’s not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous,” she said.
Citizens Demand Better Preparedness
Residents say the outages are affecting work, health, and daily routines. Aniket Dhanraje, a work-from-home employee in Mundhwa, said:
“We had a six-hour power cut on May 21 night. I lost work and sleep. Authorities should prepare before the rains, not after.”
How to Report Power Issues
MSEDCL has provided the following options for residents facing outages or hazards:
- 📞 Toll-Free Numbers: 1912, 1800-212-3435, 1800-233-3435
- 📲 Missed Call: 022-50897100 (from registered mobile)
- 📩 SMS: Type NOPOWER <customer number> and send to 9930399303
Complaints are forwarded in real-time to local engineers for quick response.
