Concerns Over Hoardings Damaging Power Infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh

G Ravi Kumar addresses the issue of unauthorised hoardings damaging electricity infrastructure in Andhra Pradesh amid heavy rain and winds. The state energy minister pledges strict action and highlights ongoing restoration efforts and future infrastructure projects worth Rs 6,000 crore.

Andhra Pradesh Minister G Ravi Kumar on Tuesday said unauthorised hoardings and flex banners were damaging electricity infrastructure across the state during heavy rain and strong winds by collapsing onto power lines and snapping conductors.

Flagging the issue, the state energy minister said he would bring it to the attention of the Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MA&UD) Department to ensure strict action and the removal of unauthorised hoardings and flex banners.

''Unauthorised hoardings and flex banners are causing substantial damage to electricity infrastructure across the state during heavy winds and rains,'' Kumar said in a press release.

Referring to a recent incident in Vijayawada, he said the power supply was severely disrupted after large hoardings fell onto electricity lines, and restoration work took more than four hours to complete.

Similar incidents involving fallen electricity poles and snapped conductors were also reported in districts such as Srikakulam, Nandyal, and Kurnool, he said.

Kumar further said strong winds and unseasonal rains were causing electricity poles to collapse and conductors to snap in several areas, resulting in temporary disruptions to the power supply.

Appreciating the efforts of Energy Department personnel working to restore the electricity supply at the earliest, he also expressed concern over an accident in Sattenapalli in which two department officials sustained serious injuries while repairing a transformer.

Kumar appealed to the public to cooperate with power restoration teams and exercise patience during emergency repair operations.

The minister noted that Andhra Pradesh was witnessing a sharp rise in electricity consumption due to soaring temperatures that had touched nearly 49 degrees Celsius in several regions.

He said sporadic power interruptions reported in certain areas were primarily the result of technical issues arising from the unprecedented load on power infrastructure, and were ''not due to power shortages''.

While ruling out power cuts across Andhra Pradesh, Kumar said exceptionally high power demand, coupled with extreme weather conditions, was damaging transmission lines and causing transformers to overheat.

The minister urged consumers facing electricity-related issues to immediately contact the toll-free number 1912, adding that dedicated call centres established under all three DISCOMs were functioning round the clock with full staffing support.

He said additional staff had already been deployed to ensure the swift resolution of complaints.

Highlighting that the state had initiated major transmission infrastructure works worth Rs 6,000 crore for the construction of substations, Kumar said the projects were expected to be completed by October 30.

He also alleged that the previous YSRCP government had failed to construct even a single substation during its tenure from 2019 to 2024.