Pune: MSEDCL and MNGL Clash Over Kalyani Nagar Fire Incident
Kalyani Nagar, 6th June 2024: In Kalyani Nagar near Bishop’s School in Ramwadi, a power disruption occurred around 11 am on 5th June due to a fire. The fire affected a high-pressure feeder pillar maintained by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), causing the power line in the sub-centre to trip.
Approximately 3500 customers experienced a 45-minute power outage. MSEDCL alleged that the fire was ignited by a gas leak from a nearby Maharashtra Natural Gas Limited (MNGL) pipeline. However, both corporations have traded accusations against each other.
Following the fire, MSEDCL responded promptly, with engineers and staff swiftly arriving to halt the power supply and isolate the feeder pillar’s underground channels. The power line in the sub-station was restarted, restoring electricity. MSEDCL filed a complaint with the police station for necessary actions, ensuring accountability and effective addressing of the incident.
In a press release, MSEDCL stated that the fire occurred due to the MNGL pipeline breaking, damaging the feeder pillar. However, MNGL refuted these accusations. MNGL claimed that 30 minutes before their pipeline was damaged, MSEDCL’s feeder had already caught fire. They emphasized that there is no connection between MNGL and the fire incident, urging MSEDCL to conduct a thorough investigation.
MNGL further explained that while a third party was laying a water line near their gas pipeline, the pipeline was damaged by their company’s JCB around 11:30 am. MNGL’s emergency team promptly responded, closing the valve and cutting off the gas supply. The fire broke out at MSEDCL’s feeder pillar around 11 am, approximately 200 meters away from MNGL’s pipeline. MNGL asserted that they were not responsible for the incident and criticized MSEDCL for blaming them.
The people in the area are frustrated by the electricity outage during the summer, especially when fans and ACs are essential. The blame game between MSEDCL and MNGL has only added to their frustration.
