Electricity Dept staff directed to patrol areas with good tree cover as branches falling on power lines disrupt supply

The Hindu

10-06-2025

HYDERABAD
Field staff of Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Ltd (TGSPDCL) was directed to regularly patrol areas having good tree cover as an analysis of power supply disruptions in feeders found that tripping mainly occurred when tree branches fell or got in contact with the power lines. They were asked to take necessary steps such as cutting/trimming tree branches that spread close to power lines.
To ensure uninterrupted power supply during the monsoon season, chairman and managing director of the TGSPDCL Md. Musharraf Faruqui asked the engineers and field staff of the utility to constantly monitor the 33 kV and low-tension transmission and distribution network, critical feeders and distribution transformers.
In a video conference held with chief engineers (CEs) and superintending engineers (SEs) from the utility's headquarters in Hyderabad on Monday (June 9, 2025), he instructed the SEs to conduct field inspections regularly and review the supply position with field staff once a week and focus on feeders facing most interruption. He also wanted them to conduct inspection of lines, feeders and AB (air break) switches and take steps to prevent recurrence of problems.
The CMD asked all the supervisory and field staff to be available in their offices during heavy rains and warnings issued by the weather department. He said that the auto-rickshaws in the fuse-off-call offices were equipped with a GIS system so that they could reach the location of the complaints swiftly.
The survey taken up as part of the Telangana GIS, Asset Management, Inspection and Maintenance System (TGAIMS) in the past had enabled the utility with complete information on the electric poles and distribution transformers. He asked the authorities to take up a similar survey in the case of 33 kV and low-tension networks.
In-charge directors of the utility Narasimhulu and K. Saibaba, chief engineers Chakrapani, Balaswamy, Kamesh and others participated in the video conference from the Discom's headquarters.