Mumbai: Power supply has been restored across several areas in Girgaum that recently experienced outages. On Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking announced plans to implement a permanent solution to prevent recurring disruptions in the locality. According to BEST officials, the utility will replace ageing underground cables installed in the 1950s by laying new lines on both sides of the railway tracks near Marine Lines station.
Details of the Cable Replacement Plan
The proposal includes digging a 300-metre trench in one ward and a 150-metre trench in another. Once the new cables are laid, they will be connected through an existing pipe running beneath the railway tracks, explained a senior official. BEST officials stated that the work, once permissions are secured, can be completed within four to five days. This will eliminate repeated faults linked to the old network, which has caused frequent disruptions for residents over the past two months.
Awaiting BMC Clearance
The undertaking is currently awaiting clearance from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for road digging and trenching. Officials emphasised that the trenching and cable replacement is intended as a long-term solution for Girgaum. BJP member on the BEST committee, Akash Purohit, mentioned that Pathakwadi has been provided additional manpower and vehicles, with round-the-clock support for residents. In the event of a power cut, a two-hour restoration plan is being followed, and senior BEST officials have been camping at Pathakwadi till late night to monitor the situation.
Wider Push Across Island City
The Girgaum plan is part of a broader initiative across the island city. BEST general manager Sonia Sethi on Tuesday announced a Rs 20-crore action plan aimed at preventing outages and ensuring faster restoration. At a committee meeting, she acknowledged that gaps in recruitment and procurement of materials for cable fault repairs over the past six years contributed to the current situation. The plan includes hiring around 690 field workers, transferring 127 drivers and 100 mechanics from the traffic division, setting up a dedicated call centre, hiring 350 DG sets for emergency supply, adding more emergency vehicles and aerial lifts, and establishing an additional fault control centre at Tardeo.
