Latest news with #ManishaShekatkar
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Pune civic body snaps 79 illegal connections from road light poles
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), on Friday, launched a citywide drive to disconnect illegal electricity connections drawn from streetlight poles and disconnected as many as 79 illegal connections in a single day. The action was taken after an eight-year-old girl reportedly came in contact with a hoarding illegally connected to a PMC-maintained streetlight pole and died on June 2. The Sinhgad Road ward office topped the list with 15 illegal power connections removed, followed by Ahmednagar Road (13), Kothrud-Bavdhan (9), Kondhwa Yevalewadi (8), Warje Karve Nagar (7), Hadapsar (7), Dhole Patil Road (4), Aundh-Baner (2), Ghole road (2), Dhankawadi Sahakarnagar (2), Bhavani Peth (4), Bibvewadi (4), Wanwowrie-Ramtekadi (1) and Kasba-Vashrambaug (1). These connections are often used by roadside vendors, unauthorized dwellings, political banners—and most controversially, by illuminated publicity hoardings across the city, said officials. Manisha Shekatkar, chief superintendent engineer of PMC's electrical department, said, 'The 'I Love' hoardings put up at many traffic junctions as part of city beautification are now being checked for illegal electricity use. 'We have received several complaints that these hoardings are tapping electricity illegally from nearby street poles without any approved connection or meter,' she said. 'We are inspecting each site and will disconnect any illegal connections immediately. So far, we have not filed any police complaints, but if we find these illegal connections again, we will take police action,' she said. According to PMC, Pune has over 1.65 lakh streetlight poles, many of which are still wired using overhead cables—making them easy targets for illegal tapping. The lack of robust earthing, the absence of residual current devices (RCDs), and tampering by unauthorized users have turned these poles into potential death traps, especially during the monsoon. The recent tragedy was waiting to happen, said Sudhir Kulkarni, a civic activist. 'Even after multiple electrocution incidents in the past, PMC failed to upgrade its infrastructure or monitor illegal usage. Now, after a child's death, the administration is forced into action,' he said. Swapnil Sutar, a resident of the Sinhagad Road area, said, 'With the monsoon coming, we want the authorities not just to punish those responsible but also to make lasting changes to keep everyone safe.' 'On Sinhagad Road, many street vendors sell vegetables and food using illegal electricity connections from streetlights. PMC should carry out a combined anti-encroachment drive along with the electrical department to stop this,' he said. The crackdown will continue in the coming days, focusing on busy areas and main junctions with decorative structures, said officials.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Nine killed in electrocution incidents in Pune over past year
Over the last year, according to data shared by the power department of Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), nine people died in electrocution incidents in the city, triggering widespread concern and public outrage. In the latest incident which occurred near Inamdar Chowk on June 2, an eight-year-old girl reportedly came in contact with a hoarding illegally connected to a PMC-maintained streetlight pole. The hoarding was allegedly linked to a political party and had an unauthorised electricity connection, according to civic officials. Manisha Shekatkar, chief, electrical department, said inspections would be completed within two days, and strict action, including disconnection and penalties, would follow in cases of violations. 'The number of illegal connections and unapproved hoardings drawing power from streetlight poles is alarming. We will not tolerate such threats to public safety,' said Shekatkar. She said they have started checking earthing, overhead wires, illegal connections, and underground cables in the city. 'PMC has laid underground cables for most streetlight poles, but some areas, especially newly merged villages and suburbs, still have overhead wires. We are regularly working to remove such overhead cables. Now, we have also started a fresh drive to act against illegal connections on streetlight poles, loose wiring, open circuits, and underground service lines,' she said. Civic activists and residents have consistently raised concerns about exposed wiring, broken electrical boxes, and poor maintenance by both PMC and Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL). 'Overhead wires should be underground. They're prone to illegal tapping and pose serious risks. The city must release a detailed audit of all-electric poles and conduct pre-monsoon maintenance,' said Sudhir Kulkarni, civic activist. MSEDCL officials claim regular inspections are conducted, but no official data has been released on the number of poles or overhead lines in Pune. The recurring electrocution incidents have exposed critical gaps in coordination between civic and electricity authorities. Citizens are now demanding urgent reforms, strict accountability, and permanent solutions to prevent such avoidable tragedies. Dinesh Nale, a resident of Rasta Peth said, 'We are scared to even let our children play outside during rains. How many more lives will it take before the authorities wake up and fix these dangerous poles?' One of the senior officials of MSEDCL Pune circle said, 'We conduct routine checks, especially before the monsoon. However, in some cases, the issues arise from infrastructure maintained by the civic body. We are working on improving coordination to prevent future accidents.' Past incidents June 2025: An eight-year-old girl died in Rasta Peth after touching a streetlight pole. May 2025: A ten-year-old boy died in Warje after touching a live electric pole during heavy rain. September 2024: Two men electrocuted while on a music vehicle during a procession in Wadgaonsheri. August 2024: A schoolboy in Hadapsar and a woman near Bremen Chowk in Aundh died after stepping into electrically charged water. July 2024: Three youths died while trying to retrieve a food cart from floodwater in the Samarth police station area. June 2024: A housekeeping worker died after stepping on a live wire near Amar Tech Park, Balewadi.
Time of India
27-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Pune civic body to give streetlight poles electricity-insulating paint to avoid electrocution incidents
Pune: The civic body has decided to paint streetlight poles with electricity-insulating paints to avoid incidents of electrocution. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has finalised 202 frequent flooding spots where street poles will be repainted. "The paint was used on an experimental basis at Laxmi Road around three years ago. The pilot proved to be successful, so we are now expanding it to other areas," said Manisha Shekatkar, head of PMC's electrical department. According to civic officials, most of the locations are near the slum areas. The administration will spend around Rs2,500 per streetlight. PMC is providing fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) insulation for streetlight poles. A 3mm thick FRP coat is applied to the street poles. It comprises premium quality resin, plastic matt (450/E), hardener, cobalt, and colour pigment complete with a gel coat. PMC used the material on an experimental basis during the 2021 Ganeshotsav when the probability of accidents was high. "FRP is a non-conductive material which adds an additional layer of safety for street lights," said a senior PMC official. He said the material demands little upkeep. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "It results in reduced ongoing operational expenses. The material's electrical insulating properties contribute to enhanced safety measures in street illumination systems," the official said. The civic body, in 2023, inspected around 1.35 lakh streetlights in the civic areas. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited conducted a similar drive meant to prevent electrocutions. PMC officials said the inspections checked erosion of poles, damaged cables as well as switches, broken lamps, and the condition of other electrical parts of streetlights.
Time of India
20-05-2025
- Time of India
Despite PMC's repeated appeals, overhead cables in Pune continue to trouble citizens & deface city
Pune: The civic body may have removed 2,500km of overhead cables in the city over the last six months, but the problem persists despite repeated warnings and appeals Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials said they had lodged complaints against unknown cable operators and service providers for damaging civic property. They said it was tough to identify owners of the overhead cables, which continue to deface civic areas, since no service provider takes responsibility for the wires. Head of the civic electrical department Manisha Shekatkar said, "There is need to draft a policy. It will allow us to take stringent action against people responsible for using overhead wires." On Saturday, a motorcyclist suffered a cut to his neck when a low-hanging cable caused an accident. Civic officials said the administration was removing cables spread between 10km to 60km per week. The length can go up subject to availability of cranes, manpower and other equipment at ward-office levels. Though the problem caused by overhead cables persists on all key roads in the city, the gravity of the issue is felt more in areas like Wagholi, Sahakarnagar, Sinhagad Road and Baner Road. PMC has made a schedule to cut the overhead cables and related drives are held on Saturdays. PMC is also faced with the challenge to dispose of the snapped cables, which don't have much demand in the scrap market. Also, internet service providers and cellular companies don't come forward to claim the wires, reducing it all to waste. The civic administration has 30 truckloads of cables, which have been dumped at PMC's various ward offices. Four years ago, the civic administration had given directives to companies using overhead cables to lay them underground. However, most did not follow the instructions. Meanwhile, citizens want PMC to take urgent action. Prerna Goyal of Pashan said, "Though internet services are the need of the hour, it should not be at the cost of defacing the city. Service providers must opt for laying them through underground ducts." "Risk of overhead cables increases during the rainy season and can cause accidents. Often, these cables get damaged because of trees falling, disrupting internet services," said Rucha Joshi of Satara Road. Officials said PMC had carried out a survey of overhead cables in 2021. There was nearly 7,500km cable length across civic areas. Providers of cable TV, mobile and internet services had installed the cables. At present, in areas where ducts are not available, PMC allows digging of roads to lay cables. The concerned firm has to pay road digging and restoration charges. Many service providers told TOI that they do not convert their overhead cables to underground, since it is an expensive affair. PMC charges around Rs13,000 per km for road digging and restoration charges. Service firms are expected to pay 10% as an advance before starting to dig the roads.
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
After positive rating from govt, PMC STPs to get ₹28 crore grant
The union government's AMRUT 2.0 (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) scheme has given high ratings to all nine STPs operated by the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), with the Mundhwa Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) receiving the 5-star rating, while the remaining eight STPs secured 4-star ratings. According to PMC Electrical Department Head Manisha Shekatkar, following the positive review, PMC is all set to get funds worth ₹28 crore from the centre. The Mundhwa project will get ₹4 crore, while the other eight projects will get ₹24 crore. Commenting about the development, Shekatkar said, 'According to ministry's announcement, STPs awarded a 5-star rating will receive ₹4 crore, while those with 4-stars will receive ₹3 crore each.' The union government's inspection teams conducted biannual assessments of these projects, examining operational efficiency, compliance with environmental norms, and use of monitoring systems such as SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and OCEMS (Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring System) before awarding their ratings. These inspections followed National Green Tribunal (NGT) guidelines and focused on parameters such as plant functionality, cleanliness, safety audits, and environmental impact. According to the Solid Waste Treatment Department of the civic body, the star ratings are part of a broader push to encourage quality and sustainability in urban sewage treatment infrastructure under AMRUT 2.0 PMC currently operates nine municipal STPs to process the city's wastewater.
