People’s belief in miracles would only get firmer if they get to know that electricity is supplied to them through a network of lines which exist in a greatly pathetic state in Adilabad. disrupting electricity distribution.
The high incidence of unscheduled power breaks therefore, is a rule rather than exception in this backward and hilly district, especially in its rural areas. The typical terrain here also makes it difficult for spotting the places where poles have fallen making the outages longer in duration and torturous in effect most of the times. “There are more trees in this district and there cannot be a disconnect between the power lines and the greenery,” points out TSTransco Adilabad Superintending Engineer B. Ashok. “Every time we have strong winds blowing, tree branches fall on the cables snapping them,” he explains, of the problem in question.
Among other reasons for frequent disruptions in power supply, according to the top official, are the loose lines which invariably snap when two conductors come in contact due to winds. “You cannot ignore the problem posed by huge hoardings and flex posters which also make the supply trip,” he adds.
The electric supply network consists of about 1 lakh km of cables of 33 KV, 11 KV, 6.3 KV, 440/230 V, 3 phase and single phase. The sheer number of poles on which these cables are carried makes maintenance quite a formidable task.
“The government can go for high towers at least in this district given the hilly terrain. Towers can support cables of all capacities which will make maintenance an easy task,” opines Kamble Gangadhar, a farmer from Gudihatnoor mandal head quarter village.
“Towers can accommodate all kinds of lines but they are high cost proposition,” counters Mr. Ashok. A 22-metre tall tower can cost about Rs. 3 lakh against the Rs. 20,000 which is the cost of 10 or 12 poles which can carry the different capacity lines,” he adds.
The TSTransco SE says the defects are slowly being rectified as the government has given permission to mend the loose lines. “Work has already begun in Nirmal and Mancherial Divisions,” he reveals.
