Latest news with #MSEDCL
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MSEDCL starts helpline for issues related to agricultural solar pumps
Nagpur: Maharashtra has emerged as a national leader when it comes to installations of solar agricultural pumps, with more than 5.65 lakh pumps disbursed under various govt schemes. With plans under way to install another five lakh pumps, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) has now taken a significant step to address the growing number of complaints regarding malfunctioning solar pump units. Acknowledging the need for timely resolution of these issues, MSEDCL has introduced a farmer-friendly system allowing complaints to be registered online or via phone. Farmers can now report problems such as non-functional pumps, damaged solar panels, faulty solar units, theft, or low water pressure from the comfort of their homes. The initiative aims to ensure quicker redressal of grievances and reinforcement of trust among beneficiaries. The new system comes in the wake of widespread damage caused by strong winds and heavy rainfall in late May, which affected solar energy panels in several areas. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Thị trường có dấu hiệu suy thoái không? IC Markets Đăng ký Undo To manage such damages efficiently, MSEDCL has developed a structured grievance redressal mechanism. Importantly, every installed solar pump system is insured, offering additional assurance to farmers. MSEDCL chairman and managing director Lokesh Chandra has urged farmers to avail of this facility and report issues using their registered mobile numbers, beneficiary identification, or even basic location details such as district, taluka, and village. Under the scheme, the supplier company is responsible for the maintenance and repair of the installed solar pumps for a period of five years. Once a complaint is filed, it must be resolved within three days. MSEDCL has made it mandatory for all supplier companies to establish service centres in districts where pumps have been installed. Once a complaint is addressed, farmers will receive an SMS confirmation. The performance of supplier companies in resolving complaints will be closely monitored by MSEDCL's superintending engineers at the circle level, ensuring accountability and transparency in service delivery. How to register a complaint Complaints can be lodged by calling MSEDCL's toll-free helpline numbers: 1800-233-3435 or 1800-212-3435. Alternatively, farmers can submit their grievances online through the dedicated portal, 'Solar Pump for All' at For issues related to specific supplier companies, complaints can also be filed directly on their respective websites. MSEDCL has provided a consolidated list of all 44 supplier companies with direct links available on its official website, making it easier for farmers to reach out to the concerned party.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Unabated power outages force Pune residents to question MSEDCL's monsoon preparedness
Pune: Residents from various parts of the city, including Bhugaon, Wakad, Deccan Gymkhana and Undri, have been facing frequent power outages, forcing them to question MSEDCL's monsoon preparedness. Prashant Kondel, a resident of Bhugaon, told TOI that if the 24-hour power outage on Sunday wasn't enough, the power went off early morning on Thursday as well. "On Thursday, the power came back only by 12 noon. We have been facing severe problems because of power outages. Each monsoon, all authorities, be it PMC or MSEDCL, claim that they are ready and people won't face any issues. In reality, exactly the opposite happens. We, despite paying all taxes and bills, keep suffering," he said. Asha Pradhan, a Wakad resident who works in an international call centre, said, "After the night shift, I need to sleep in the morning so that I can be ready for the next day's job. However, the power situation is so pathetic that I cannot do so. Whenever one sends MSEDCL a message on social media, they have the same automated reply. Then, the numbers floated by them to make complaints don't work many times. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Croydon: If You Were Born Between 1945-1974 You Could Be Eligible For This British Seniors Read More Undo I never thought that in a city like Pune, I would have to consider buying an inverter," she said. A similar woe was faced by residents of Mahalunge where they witnessed 24-hour long power outage. Tushar Pathare, a resident of Mahalunge, said the area lost power at about 8pm on Wednesday and it was restored around 8pm on Thursday. "The staff from the MSEDCL were here and trying to restore it, but it was difficult. There is an urgent need for a substation for this area as the population in the area has increased manifold. " Sanjeet Waghle, another resident of Mahalunge, said, "Since midnight, there is no power in many places in the area. I sent MSEDCL a message on X and got their standard reply that they deeply regretted the situation. There has been no update, however, and no power too. How are we going to live like this? Before monsoons, they just dig up different roads in the name of laying cables, but the situation remains the same. There is no accountability, and no one says or does anything," he said. Pavanjeet Mane, a software engineer from Hinjewadi Phase 2, said, "Even in Hinjewadi Phase 2, there were power outages since Wednesday night that continued till Thursday." Vikas Puri, the public relations officer of Pune MSEDCL, told TOI that the issues would subside soon. "At the beginning of the monsoon season, lightning strikes cause disruptions in the power system. As water accumulates at many places, it affects feeder pillars which in turn cause outages. We have been working round-the-clock to ensure that the disruptions are controlled and power is restored. Road digging work by other agencies is another challenge. It leads to snapping of cables and moisture accumulating in cables. It leads to outages too," he said. Similar situations prevail in posh areas like Deccan Gymkhana too. "There have been frequent power failures in the area for the last five days. Complaints have been raised, but the issue has not been resolved," Vikram W Karve wrote on X a few days ago. On Thursday, he again posted on X, "Frequent electricity power failures throughout the day continue in the Deccan Gymkhana area. There was a time when the area was considered a posh locality and had an uninterrupted electricity power supply." Shantanu Panda, too, vented his frustration on social media. "There is no electricity in the Wakad area since 6.30am. It has been more than 10 hours without electricity and without any notification," he said on X. Manisha Sharma, who lives on NIBM Road, told TOI that power cuts were frequent during night and early morning hours. "The children cannot sleep, and we too cannot rest. The power just goes off for hours. We have to shut down the windows as there is a mosquito menace. A mosquito bite can cause dengue in this kind of weather. If we close windows, it makes inside of the homes hotter. What has MSEDCL done towards monsoon preparedness?" she said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
MSEDCL engineer, technician suspended after farmers' electrocution
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: State power utility MSEDCL Wednesday suspended assistant engineer and senior technician on the charge of negligence, following the electrocution of two farmers who came into contact with a snapped power cable on Monday evening. The state power utility also offered Rs 4 lakh ex gratia each to the families of the two victims. "The employees were suspended based on findings from the inquiry report, police panchanama and post-mortem report," MSEDCL stated in an official statement . CIDCO MIDC police on Wednesday also arrested the senior technician on charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. He has been sent to two-day police custody. Girl suffers injuries An eight-year-old girl from the Waluj area suffered injuries caused by electrocution due to a newly installed MSEDCL Time of Day (ToD) meter on June 15. Following her father's complaint, the Waluj police registered a case against two staff members of the private firm hired by MSEDCL for ToD meter installation. The girl was admitted to the Govt Medical College and Hospital. The father said she was experiencing tingling sensations in her limbs following the incident. The police have invoked BNS sections 125 (endangering life or personal safety of others through rash or negligent behaviour) and 3(5) (joint criminal liability when two or more individuals act with a common intention), among other charges, in the case.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Strict action against illegal digging, says PMC; too late, remind citizens
1 2 Pune: The civic road department has warned of strict action against illegal digging of roads by developers and builders to lay MSEDCL cables and water and drainage lines, but citizens and civic activists have said the announcement has come too late and excavations without permissions are midway through. In a circular issued on June 17, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC)'s road department said it had been observed that illegal digging of city roads and footpaths to lay service lines was underway. Various measures were being planned to arrest such attempts. The administration said it will file complaints with the police against those involved in such illegal activities without paying digging charges. The administration also said it will approach MSEDCL and urged it to not give power connections to those involved in illegal road digging for power cables. Developers and builders will not receive no objection certificates (NOC) from various PMC departments in case of non-payment of digging charges. The administration also plans to not approve building construction works if developers fail to pay the penalty. PMC's road department head Aniruddha Pawaskar said the steps aim to restrict illegal excavations of roads without prior intimation. Civic executive and deputy engineers will inspect their areas and initiate action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo C itizens have appreciated PMC's move, but expressed apprehensions over its execution. Activist Vikram Gaikwad said the administration's directives should not remain on paper. "PMC's instructions are based on good intentions, but the directives are not implemented effectively. We expect the authorities to take strict action against illegal digging and contractors failing to reinstate the roads," he said. Kothrud resident Govind Kale said PMC issued the directives "very late." "Instructions should have come in April — before the monsoon arrived. We also wonder why local officials do not keep a watch on illegal digging within their jurisdictions," he added. Sources from the administration said such illegal works often take place at night. On many occasions, private parties like developers or housing societies take up such activities without prior intimation to PMC. Developers must take proper civic permissions to lay cables and pipelines.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Nagpur continues to lead Maha in rooftop solar push
Nagpur: Nagpur district continues to solidify its position as Maharashtra's top performer in rooftop solar energy adoption under Prime Minister's Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme. With a robust daily performance and increasing citizen participation, the district is setting a powerful example in the state's transition to renewable energy. On Sunday (June 15), the district added 124 new rooftop solar systems, injecting an additional 452.44 kilowatts of clean energy into the grid. With this, the district's cumulative tally of rooftop solar units reached 33,641, translating into a total installed capacity of 132.35 megawatts. These numbers place Nagpur well ahead of other districts in the state. In comparison, Jalgaon reached 15,868 installations, while Pune follows closely with 15,632. However, their combined total still falls short of Nagpur's figures. Several other districts under MSEDCL's Nagpur zone have made encouraging progress in rooftop solar deployment. Amravati reached 12,331 installations, followed by Wardha 6,376, Buldhana 6,232, Akola 6,130, and Chandrapur 5,616. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It might kill off the whole industry': What's at stake as US-China tariff war hits SE Asia CNA Read More Undo Yavatmal registered 4,998 units, Bhandara has 3,591, Washim 2,562, Gondia 2,511, while Gadchiroli, which is more remote and forested, saw 1,141 installations. Wardha stood out on June 15 with its own notable daily achievement — 70 installations in a day, adding 241.7 kilowatts solar power to the grid, reflecting the district's growing enthusiasm for renewable energy. Officials from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) credit the success to efficient planning, extensive public awareness campaigns, and a streamlined installation process. These efforts have helped residents understand the benefits of solar power, particularly lower electricity bills and a reduced carbon footprint. Under the scheme, MSEDCL has reported over 2.12 lakh rooftop solar installations till June 15, contributing total 812.76 megawatts to the state's renewable energy pool. Nagpur alone accounts for more than 16% of this capacity — an indication of the district's proactive participation. The Surya Ghar scheme offers significant incentives to encourage its adoption. The central govt provides subsidies based on system capacity: Rs30,000 for 1 kilowatt, Rs60,000 for 2 kilowatts, and up to Rs78,000 for 3 kilowatts. The maximum subsidy available is Rs78,000. Additionally, MSEDCL provides a free net meter post-installation, further reducing entry barriers for consumers. Authorities are optimistic that this momentum will continue. With increasing demand and awareness, Nagpur is poised to remain a flag-bearer for clean energy in Maharashtra, playing a vital role in both state and national renewable energy goals.
