Latest news with #Hescom
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Hescom reports heavy rain-related losses
Hubballi: Hubli Electricity Supply Company Limited (Hescom) faced severe infrastructure damage across the operational districts due to heavy rainfall. A total of 11.2 kilometres of power lines were damaged. Apart from fallen poles, the company reported damage to transformers, electrical lines, and other critical equipment. In Uttara Kannada district alone, where maximum destruction occurred, several villages experienced prolonged power outages. Maintenance teams worked round the clock to restore electricity supply in affected areas. Hescom, responsible for power distribution across Dharwad district and six other districts including Haveri, Gadag, Uttara Kannada, Belagavi, Bagalakot and Vijayapura, suffered financial damages exceeding Rs 5.5 crore due to recent rainfall. The company reported extensive infrastructure damage, with 4,156 electricity poles becoming inoperational, resulting in losses worth over Rs 4 crore. Notably, Uttara Kannada district alone accounted for 1,802 damaged poles. Hescom officials mobilised in all divisions to speed up repair works. The company prioritised the restoration of power supply to essential services like hospitals, water treatment plants, and govt facilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like USDJPY đang đi lên không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Emergency response teams were stationed at strategic locations to address urgent complaints and handle crisis situations, said sources in Hescom. Local administrative bodies are coordinating with Hescom to identify critical areas needing immediate attention. The company has established a 24-hour helpline for citizens to report power-related emergencies. Despite the extensive damage, Hescom aims to normalise power supply across all affected regions within the shortest possible time. The damage assessment, particularly poles damaged, transformers damaged, and total lines damaged in kms, revealed that numerous electrical installations were affected in Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, Vijayapura, Gadag, and Haveri districts. Several substations required immediate repairs and component replacements. The company deployed special teams to rural areas where access was hindered due to waterlogging and damaged roads, sources added. Vaishali ML, managing director, Hescom, explained that numerous electricity poles sustained damage due to wind conditions and black soil, leading to disruptions in power transmission caused by supply fluctuations and transformers damaged. In Uttara Kannada district, extensive pole damage occurred because of persistent heavy rainfall. She mentioned that dedicated teams are handling power supply restoration, with most areas receiving service within 24 hours, while remote locations with difficult access require 3-4 days for completion of restoration work. The fallout - 4,156 electricity Poles worth over Rs 4.2 crore damaged - 196 transformers worth over Rs 1.3 crore damaged - 11.2 kilometre line worth over Rs 6 lakh damaged
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Incessant rainfall in Belagavi; many low-lying bridges submerged
Pic: Dudhganga River overflowing on Bhoj-Shivpurwadi bridge on Tuesday Belagavi: Due to incessant rainfall in the catchment area of the Krishna River, many low-lying bridges were inundated, disturbing traffic movement. The breathtaking view of the Gokak Falls, known as the 'Niagara' of India, is attracting tourists to enjoy the scenic view. Apart from this, due to heavy rain, trees and electricity poles fell in Belagavi and the surrounding areas, and the forest department and Hescom personnel are engaged in resolving the problems. The heavy rains pouring in Belagavi district and the Maharashtra border areas for the past four days increased the flow of water in the rivers. There was a huge increase in the inflow of seven rivers, including Krishna and its tributaries Malaprabha, Ghataprabha, Vedaganga, and Dudhganga. Three bridges on the lower reaches of the Dudhganga River in Chikodi taluk were submerged on Monday evening. The bridges of Bhoj-Shivpurwadi, Karadaga-Bhoj, Barwad-Kunnur, and Akkol-Sidnal on the Dudhganga River were submerged, cutting off connectivity between villages. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Killer New Honda CR-V Is Utter Perfection (Take A Look) SneakerToast Undo From June 1 to 15, Belagavi district received 132 mm of rainfall (64 mm normal rainfall). Khanapur taluk, which receives the highest rainfall in district, received 155 mm (normal rainfall 111 mm). Ramdurg, Kagwad, Yaragatti, Savadatti, Gokak, Mudalagi, Chikodi, Bailhongal, Belagavi, Athani, Kittur, Raibag, and Hukkeri taluk also received more rain than normal. Belagavi district received 132 mm of rain when compared to normal rainfall of 64 mm within a span of 14 days. Scenic view of Gokak Falls Due to incessant rain in the Western Ghats of Maharashtra, the Gokak Falls, known as the 'Niagara' of India, is attracting tourists. People are enjoying the scenic view of water flowing amid rocks and plunging, creating milky foam on the banks of Ghataprabha River. The water plunging to a depth of 180 metres is a fascinating, breathtaking sight. Buffalo dies by electrocution A buffalo died after getting electrocuted near a transformer in Basavankudachi in Belagavi. Farmer Jinnappa demanded compensation from Hescom. Villagers of Basavankudachi alleged that even though 7-8 electricity poles fell due to rain in the village, they are not being repaired. HESCOM notice In the wake of rainy season, the Hubballi Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) advised the public to take precautionary measures. It requested them to cooperate with the department to prevent electrical accidents. If there are any faults in the power supply network system or if there is an electrical outage, call Hescom's 24x7 helpline number 1912 or inform the WhatsApp number 9480883899. Alternatively, contact the nearest Hescom office or Hescom officials, a release said. — Boy injured as school roof collapses Ballari: A boy suffered head injuries when a layer of the roof in a classroom at the govt higher primary school in Sirwar village collapsed on Tuesday. The injured student is Somalingappa, a third-grade pupil. The school has an enrolment of 800 students across classes one to eight. It features a total of 19 classrooms, comprising 10 new and 9 old ones. Due to the heavy rains over the past few days, four classrooms collapsed, prompting LKG, UKG, and classes one to three to be held under trees on the school grounds. A teacher from the school stated that nine classrooms, including the one where the student was hurt, were constructed in 2009. Four of these classrooms are in a state of disrepair because of substandard quality. As a result, classes are being held in a fearful environment.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Anchatgeri Oni road in disrepair despite years of complaints
Hubballi: Anchatgeri Oni Road, one of the busiest roads near Janata Bazaar in HDMC Ward No. 65, remains in poor condition. It was dug up for underground drainage and water pipeline works. The condition of the road worsened due to the recent rains. Despite repeated complaints by locals, no permanent solution has been provided so far. According to sources, Anchatgeri Oni is located in the heart of the city. Families have lived there for many years. There are about 50 houses on this road. It connects Tadapatri Gali, Dajiban Peth, and many other roads. The road is always busy and there are many temples on the stretch. There have been incidents of motorists getting injured due to stagnant water in the potholes. Roads that were damaged in last year's monsoon have not yet been repaired. This year, motorists complain that the problem has risen again due to untimely rains. Locals demand the construction of a permanent CC road. Work on the UGD started six months ago. Road has been dug to install the drinking water pipeline. The road from Janata Bazaar to Tadapatri Gali deteriorated due to the recent rainfall. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Villa For Sale in Dubai Might Surprise You Villas in Dubai | Search ads Learn More Undo Because of various reasons, the road construction was also delayed. Nagendra Habib, a resident of Anchatgeri Oni, told TOI that it has been six months since the road was dug up. Despite several requests to HDMC, no action was taken to repair it. After many complaints, patch-up work is ongoing but not providing a permanent solution. A CC road should be constructed soon, he demanded. Karthik Murgod, another Hubballi local, said that due to the lack of quality roads, the problem recurs every year, leading to hardship for commuters. Due to a lack of coordination between various departments, including Hescom and LT company, the roads are being dug up again and again, to install drinking water pipes, sewage pipes, and cables. The road should be constructed soon, he urged. Sunitha Burbure, corporator of HDMC Ward No. 65, told that the UGD work was carried out and later the drinking water pipeline was installed. Earlier, the road was repaired, however, due to various reasons, the CC road work was delayed. The cost of constructiong a CC Road is estimated at around Rs 15 lakh, and the road will be constructed soon, she assured. Vijay Kumar, HDMC's superintending engineer, said that a tender worth Rs 1.13 crore was called to close potholes in Hubballi South Zone. A total of Rs 2.81 crore will be spent to close potholes in North Zone, and Rs 1.82 crore in Dharwad Zone. Most of the work in Dharwad Zone was completed, he said.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmer societies too eligible for power subsidy, high court rules
Bengaluru: The Dharwad bench of Karnataka high court instructed the state govt and electricity distribution companies to modify their current framework to ensure fair treatment between farmer societies and individual farmers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum issued this ruling, declaring the Sept 4, 2008 govt order 'unconstitutional'. The govt order withholds power tariff subsidy from farmer societies solely because their collective consumption surpasses the specified horsepower limit. "The authorities must frame and notify appropriate guidelines within a reasonable period (preferably six months) to extend power tariff subsidies to registered farmer societies, in a manner that aligns with the principles of equality, promotes cooperative farming, and advances the broader goals of sustainable agricultural development," the judge stated in his order. Two farmers' cooperative societies from Athani taluk in Belagavi district contested Hubballi Electricity Supply Company Ltd's (Hescom) demand notice and the govt order. The petitioners established lift irrigation projects on the river Krishna, benefiting 200 acres and 103 acres in Parthanahalli and Madhabhavi villages, costing approximately Rs 5.8 crore. The petitioners noted that Hescom sought Rs 3,995.2 crore in subsidies from state govt, which released Rs 5,067.7 crore. They claimed the state paid subsidies for unmetered installations, based on estimated consumption, contradicting the Electricity Act regulations and govt orders. The petitioner-society's main complaint centres on the state's constitutional duty to provide water access. They argued that farmers who formed societies to create lift irrigation schemes face discrimination, whilst individual IP holders receive subsidies for multiple IP sets. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The petitioners contended that denying agricultural power tariff subsidies to marginal farmer societies, whilst granting them to individual farmers violates Article 14 of the Constitution of India. The Hescom responded that the petitioners' difficulties stemmed from the Covid pandemic. The state govt maintained that society members could access the scheme individually, but collective applications were excluded by policy. They specified a 10 HP meter limit for irrigation facilities. They suggested the petitioner-society approached court to avoid Hescom's recovery proceedings. However, Justice Magadum observed that marginal farmers in collectives represent the same group eligible for individual subsidies. Denying subsidies to collectives solely for exceeding the 10 HP limit contradicts the goal of supporting small and marginal farmers. The power subsidy intends to make irrigation affordable, ensure fair water access, and promote sustainable farming, but excluding farmer societies undermines these objectives.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
GPs in B'gavi district save Rs 13cr in annual power bills, thanks to energy audit
Belagavi: Leveraging his background in electrical engineering, Belagavi zilla panchayat (ZP) CEO Rahul Shinde implemented a district-wide energy audit that saved gram panchayats (GP) a staggering Rs 13 crore in annual electricity expenditure. The success of this initiative drew the attention of state officials, and the officer is now preparing to present the model to the state panchayats across the district spend significant amounts on electricity to power drinking water supply systems and streetlights, often struggling to pay the rising costs. By Feb-end, GPs owed Rs 147 crore in cumulative unpaid electricity bills to Hubli Electricity Supply Company (Hescom) .Concerned by the mounting dues, Shinde launched a detailed investigation and identified systemic inefficiencies and lapses across the district's 500-odd GPs. A total of 16,580 Revenue Register (RR) Numbers (electricity connections availed by GPs) were surveyed. The findings were alarming. The key lapses identified were as follows: penalties levied by Hescom for unmetered water pumping, interest charges (1%) due to delayed bill payments, fixed charges for inactive or defunct connections that were not officially disconnected, unauthorised connections to borewells leading to fines, mismatch in sanctioned load and actual usage, lack of monthly reconciliation with Hescom, and neglect in availing a Rs 1 rebate per unit on electricity used for LED streetlights."Most panchayats were unaware or negligent about availing LED rebates or disconnecting unused lines. These issues, though avoidable, were draining GP funds," said Rahul drive and impact:In coordination with Hescom, a massive rectification campaign was conducted. Through this drive, 1,470 unused connections were permanently disconnected, while 823 new connections were formally approved. Another 654 connections were shifted to proper locations, and load corrections were made in 3,725 cases. Most notably, tariffs for 4,101 connections were converted to LED rates, and 48 private connections misusing GP power supply were these rectifications, a total of Rs 12.7 crore was saved for the GPs. Rs 1.9 crore was saved just by converting to LED tariffs, while Rs 10.8 crore was saved through other district-wide rectification campaign began on April 3 in three phases. In the first phase, survey teams conducted site visits and reported the status of all electricity connections. In the second phase, correction measures were initiated by submitting applications to Hescom. The third phase involved consistent follow-ups with Hescom to ensure the changes were implemented. In total, 62 coordination meetings were held — six at the district level and 56 at the taluk level."Due to our intervention, unnecessary spending by GPs on electricity has come to a halt. We cut penalties, corrected tariffs, disconnected private usage, and ensured every rupee saved can now be used for development," ZP CEO Rahul Shinde told to the office, if replicated across Karnataka, this model could potentially save the state between Rs 150 crore to Rs 200 crore annually.
