Garbage fires damage transformer wires in Hyderabad's Bholakpur division

What happened

Two fires in the Bholakpur division of Hyderabad, India, damaged electrical wiring at transformers and caused losses reported at more than ₹2 lakh, according to electricity officials cited by Deccan Chronicle and relayed by urbanacres.in. On 15 April, a garbage heap beside the BSNL telephone exchange office caught fire, damaging transformer wires and causing losses of about ₹1 lakh. On 12 October, a fire broke out behind the Setwin building in Indiranagar, with damage to wires estimated at more than ₹1 lakh.

A ground visit to West Marredpally, Zamistanpur and Noorkhan Bazaar found waste piled close to transformers, including one in West Marredpally beside a dumping spot without a warning signboard. Sanitation workers reported near-daily unauthorised dumping despite repeated warnings. The source does not state the ignition source of either fire.

Contributing factors

Unauthorised dumping of mixed and plastic waste close to transformers, the absence of a warning signboard at one West Marredpally site, and repeated dumping despite warnings. The reported division of responsibility between civic sanitation authorities and the electricity department left prevention dependent on coordination. The source says combustible waste around equipment can obstruct maintenance access and expose clearing crews to hazards.

Lessons learned

1. Keep combustible waste and storage out of transformer enclosures and substations, and maintain a clear access buffer around equipment.
2. Post clear warning signage and use monitoring or surveillance at locations known for dumping.
3. Agree in writing which body clears, inspects and enforces around grid assets, and check those sites on a fixed schedule.

More lessons on detection and monitoring, maintenance, inspection and ageing assets, from every incident on the register.

Source

urbanacres.in