Durg braces for prolonged power cuts amid concerns over substandard cables

 

 

 

With the onset of monsoon, residents of Durg City may face prolonged and frequent power outages due to the widespread use of inferior-quality cables and electrical equipment installed over the past few years. According to sources, key components such as Aerial Bunch (AB) cables, Drop-Out (DO) units, and insulators being used across all divisions in the district are of substandard quality. Unlike the earlier components that lasted 8 to 10 years, the newly installed equipment—barely two to three years old—is reportedly deteriorating rapidly under exposure to rain and heat. In some cases, AB cables are losing insulation within a year, and DO units are bursting after brief rain spells. AB cables are primarily used in areas where electricity lines need to cross roads, congested zones, or slums to reduce risk and ensure safety.

 

However, once the insulation wears off, locating the faulty stretch becomes extremely difficult, often leading to extended power tripping and outages. When contacted, Jagannath Prasad, Superintending Engineer of Durg City Circle (CSPDCL), denied receiving complaints about the quality of these installations. He added that funds have been allocated to divisions, and if any cable or equipment is found to be in poor condition, replacement can be undertaken after preparing estimates and securing necessary approvals.