Gram Panchayats, Urban Local Bodies Owe Mescom ₹305.84 Crore for Power
The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (Mescom) has disclosed that gram panchayats and urban local bodies owe the utility ₹305.84 crore for electricity supplied to streetlights and water supply installations. The revelation came from company chairman K. Harish Kumar during a press briefing on Saturday evening.
According to Mr. Kumar, a former MLC, the outstanding dues include ₹298.19 crore owed by gram panchayats and ₹7 crore by urban local bodies. These amounts relate to power used for street lighting and water supply systems, which are essential public services managed by these local bodies.
The company also reported a loss of ₹25.77 crore due to heavy winds and rain between April 1 and August 26 this year. The inclement weather caused widespread damage, including the destruction of 17,770 electric poles and 496.37 km of power supply lines. Districts such as Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada, and Shivamogga suffered the heaviest losses.
In a move aimed at enhancing safety and reliability, Mescom has approved the replacement of existing power supply lines in elephant corridors and forest areas with covered conductors. These areas, often prone to animal interference and environmental hazards, will see new infrastructure in Puttur, Shivamogga, Sagar, Chikkamagaluru, Koppa, and Kundapur. The project is expected to commence soon.
To address urban power needs, the company has awarded a contract for laying a 33 kV underground power supply line between Kavoor and Urwa Market. This underground line is intended to provide uninterrupted electricity to Mangaluru city limits, reducing the risk of outages caused by overhead line faults.
In addition, overhead power supply lines in several localities are being replaced with underground cables. The affected areas include Ullal city municipality, Kumpala, Bagembila, Kolya, Uchhila, Someshwara, Kudroli Temple Road, Lady Hill Road, PVS Circle, Dongarakery, Bejai, Hat Hill, Daddalakad, Bejai Kapikkad, and Bondel-Kavoor Road. The transition to underground lines is expected to improve supply stability and reduce maintenance issues.
Mescom has also approved the purchase of 5,450 electric transformers of different capacities to replace those that are non-functional. The procurement will help restore service in areas affected by transformer failures. Additionally, 705 non-contact voltage detectors have been approved for the safety of linemen working on live lines. A vehicle to transport an underground cable fault locator device has also been sanctioned.
In a step towards modernising consumer services, the company has approved the opening of 14 shops to sell smart meters to consumers over the next five years. These shops are part of an initiative to promote smart metering and improve billing efficiency.
The outstanding dues from local bodies represent a significant financial challenge for Mescom, potentially affecting its ability to invest in infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. The company's efforts to modernise its network, including underground cabling and advanced safety equipment, are part of a broader strategy to ensure reliable power supply for residents and businesses in its service area.
