Mangaluru: The Mangalore Electricity Supply Company (MESCOM) has recruited 395 powermen to significantly ease the shortage of field staff, MESCOM Chairman K Harish Kumar said, adding that the remaining 165 powermen will soon be recruited through Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL).
The recruitment is expected to strengthen MESCOM’s field operations across its jurisdiction, which covers several districts in coastal and Malnad Karnataka. The chairman, however, pointed out that only five of the newly recruited powermen are from Dakshina Kannada district, while the total number of recruits from areas under the MESCOM jurisdiction does not even cross 50.
He also announced several infrastructure and safety initiatives, including the conversion of power lines in elephant corridors into covered conductor systems, expansion of underground cabling, procurement of safety equipment and transformer testing facilities, and measures to strengthen cybersecurity.
Recruitment to address shortage of field staff
According to Harish Kumar, the addition of 395 powermen will provide significant relief to MESCOM, which has been facing a shortage of field personnel.
The remaining 165 powermen are expected to be recruited through KPTCL shortly, further strengthening the workforce available for maintenance, restoration and other field-level operations.
Harish Kumar said many of the powermen recruited in the past were from North Karnataka districts. During the tenure of DK Shivakumar as Energy Minister, a condition had been imposed that powermen recruited by MESCOM could not be transferred to other electricity supply companies.
However, the condition was later withdrawn, following which a large number of powermen were transferred to other ESCOMs, he said.
The latest recruitment has brought fresh personnel into MESCOM, although the chairman expressed concern over the limited number of candidates from Dakshina Kannada and other areas directly falling under the company’s jurisdiction.
Covered conductors planned in elephant corridors
MESCOM will convert power lines passing through elephant corridors and other forest areas into covered conductor systems, Harish Kumar said.
The system involves providing electrical wires with protective insulation and is aimed at improving safety in forested regions.
The work will be taken up in the Puttur, Shivamogga, Sagar, Chikkamagaluru-1, Chikkamagaluru-2, Koppa and Kundapura divisions.
The initiative is expected to improve the safety of power infrastructure in areas with frequent wildlife movement while also addressing risks associated with conventional overhead electrical lines.
New safety equipment and testing facilities
MESCOM is also taking steps to improve the safety of its field personnel. The company will procure 705 non-contact voltage detectors (NCVDs), which will help powermen detect the presence of voltage without direct contact with electrical conductors.
In addition, six transformer testing benches will be purchased to check the quality of electrical transformers.
A vehicle-mounted underground cable fault detection system will also be procured. The mobile system will enable MESCOM to transport the equipment to locations where cable faults need to be identified.
The company has also approved the procurement of C-type wedge connectors to help ensure a continuous supply of quality power and 5,250 Dolo cut-outs to support uninterrupted electricity supply.
MESCOM has further purchased 5,450 electrical transformers as part of efforts to strengthen its distribution network.
Underground cabling work under way
Measures have also been initiated to lay underground electricity cables in the Ullal, Mannagudda and Kavoor sub-divisions.
Work is already under way at some locations.
The Ullal sub-division project will cover Ullal, Someshwar, Kumpala, Moorukatte, Bagambila, Kolya, Uchila and Beribail.
In the Mannagudda sub-division, underground cabling is planned for areas including New Chitra Talkies, Kudroli Temple, Ladyhill Road, PVS, Dongerkery, Bejai, KSRTC Bus Stand, Bejai-Kapikad, Hat Hill and Daddalkad.
The Kavoor sub-division project will cover the stretch from Bondel to Kavoor-Airport Main Road.
The underground cabling initiative is aimed at strengthening the reliability of electricity supply in key areas and reducing disruptions caused by weather-related damage to overhead lines.
Smart meters and cybersecurity initiatives
Harish Kumar said smart meters would benefit both consumers and MESCOM.
The company will purchase four smart meter testing benches to verify the accuracy and quality of the meters. Smart meters have been made mandatory for all new electricity connections.
Post-paid smart meters are being used for domestic consumers, while prepaid meters are being provided for temporary electricity connections.
The system allows MESCOM to remotely monitor electricity consumption from its offices, eliminating the need for physical meter readings. Consumers can also monitor their daily electricity usage through a mobile application.
MESCOM has also recruited 100 security personnel on a contract basis and will purchase 512 computers as part of measures to strengthen cybersecurity.
Local bodies owe Rs 305.84 crore
MESCOM is facing substantial outstanding electricity bill payments from gram panchayats and urban local bodies.
According to the chairman, the total pending amount stands at Rs 305.84 crore. Of this, gram panchayats account for Rs 298.19 crore, while town municipal councils and city municipal councils together account for around Rs 7 crore.
The large volume of pending bills remains a financial concern for the electricity supply company.
MESCOM has also initiated measures to construct its own buildings for the Kundapura, Kaup, Karkala and Shankaranarayana sub-divisions.
Rain and strong winds cause Rs 25.77 crore loss
Harish Kumar said MESCOM incurred losses of Rs 25.77 crore between April 1 and August 26 due to pre-monsoon and monsoon rains accompanied by gusty winds.
Chikkamagaluru, Dakshina Kannada and Shivamogga districts reported the highest damage during the period.
A total of 17,770 electricity poles and 496.37 km of power lines were damaged due to rain and strong winds, underlining the significant impact of adverse weather on the company’s infrastructure.
The latest recruitment and infrastructure initiatives are expected to improve MESCOM’s ability to respond to power disruptions and carry out maintenance work. With additional field staff, safety equipment, covered conductors, underground cabling and new monitoring systems, the company is seeking to strengthen both the reliability of electricity supply and the safety of its workforce.