Waste dumping below transmission line disrupting power supply in Sachin industrial units

Surat: At least 10,000 industrial units in the Sachin industrial area have been severely impacted by frequent power cuts, leading to production losses and machinery damage over the past few months. An investigation by the Gujarat Energy Transmission Corporation Ltd (GETCO) has revealed that waste dumping beneath high-tension electricity transmission lines near Talangpur and Khajod is the primary cause of the disruptions.
Large piles of waste material, blown by the wind, come into contact with the high-voltage transmission lines, causing frequent power outages. Although waste dumping in the area has been a long-standing issue, incidents of waste-induced power disruptions have increased recently.
In its response to the Sachin Industrial Co-Op Society (SICOS), GETCO identified specific materials like kite threads, jari and plastic waste as culprits. These lightweight materials, carried by the wind, land on the transmission lines, leading to tripping and overloading of other power lines.
SICOS has written to the Surat district collector, urging immediate action. GETCO has also alerted the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) about the waste problem, but the issue remains unresolved. "Waste has been dumped near Talangpur and Khajod for years, but incidents affecting power lines have risen sharply in recent months," a GETCO official stated.
The transmission line from the Talangpur substation supplies electricity to industries in Sachin and nearby areas. "SICOS has been receiving frequent complaints about power cuts. After discussions with electricity authorities, they identified the root cause through their investigation," said Mayur Golwala, secretary of SICOS.
"The power cuts are a major concern for industries, not only causing production losses but also damaging machinery and equipment due to sudden outages. Additionally, materials under production at the time of power failure are often ruined, leading to further financial losses," Golwala added.
Waste dumping has persisted in the Khajod and Talangpur areas for years. The SMC is currently developing a new waste disposal site at Umber near Sachin. While the existing dumping site is gradually being phased out, however, until the new site is completely ready, large quantities of waste continue to be deposited daily, exacerbating the issue.