It may be time for the bulky, conventional transformers, blamed for posing a risk to pedestrians and eating into their space on footpaths, to finally see a transformation. The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company’s (Bescom) joint venture with the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), to replace the two-pole conventional transformers with swanky single-pole ones is being expanded to other parts of the city.
Other circles
The project, which began in Bangalore south late last year, will now be implemented in the remaining three circles of the city (north, west and east), said N. Jayanthi, General Manager (Customer Relations), Bescom. The power utility is looking to complete implementing the project by the year-end.
While replacement of at least 100 two-pole transformers has been completed in places in the south, with 42 more proposed in the circle under various sub-divisions, work has already begun in the north in places such as Rajajinagar, where 17 places have been identified, including in Basaveshwaranagar, Sunkadakatte and Nagarabhavi. “Places have also been identified in east and west,” Ms. Jayanthi added.
Why single pole?
Single-pole transformers score over the conventional ones for two reasons: they occupy much lesser space as they are mounted on a pole and are at an elevated level; they prove to be less risky as the main portion of the transformer is not within the reach of people.
This eliminates the hazards posed by the conventional transformers, which have caused considerable damage to passers-by and Bescom staff due to electrocutions.
The entire process of replacement of a two-pole transformer by a single pole takes about one week. While the making of the platform bed — including the curing and setting of the cement base — takes about three days, it takes two more days to erect the new pole. While this is done, power supply is taken from alternate lines so as to not impact supply. Each single pole can cost anywhere between Rs. 1.5 lakh to Rs. 2 lakh.
Not all of them
However, not all areas can bid adieu to two-pole transformers. Ms. Jayanthi said that the replacement, being made on a cost-sharing basis between the BBMP and Bescom, is being implemented on a ‘need basis’.
This means that only those transformers identified by officials from the two public utilities as obstructing pedestrian movement or have become obsolete will be replaced.
