• Introduces a Toll Free Number (Dial Before Dig) – 1800-11-5400 for facilitating information exchange before undertaking the work
• Civic Agencies executing digging activities without informing Tata Power-DDL and damaging service cables are liable to bear penalties/ punishment/ face legal action under provisions of the Indian Electricity Act & Applicable Laws
New Delhi, Feb 27, 2020 : Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited has issued an advisory to the Civic Utilities urging them to ensure precautionary measures and informing the company before undertaking any excavation activity around the company’s highly sensitive cable network. The company has introduced a Dial Before You Dig Toll Free Number – 1800-11-5400 that provides the caller an immediate response and support.
The company has a large underground cable network to the tune of 3400 circuit kilometers at High and Medium Voltage level to ensure reliable power supply to a populace of 70 Lakhs in North Delhi.
In the recent past, Tata Power-DDL has witnessed several incidents of cable damage due to digging work carried out by various Civic Utilities resulting in cable failures and unwarranted power cuts impacting power supply to lakhs of consumers. These incidents (of external damage to high or medium voltage cable) also pose serious safety concerns as they may lead to electrical shocks, arcs, surges, electric explosions and fire incidents.
Since the repair and restoration work of impacted cables involves a very high operational cost, any damage to the cable network by other entities/agencies would make the falling entities liable to compensate Tata Power-DDL for the expenses incurred in carrying out repair work, replacement of the cable as well as loss to the business, including punishment as per the provisions of the Indian Electricity Act and Applicable Laws.
Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, TATA Power-DDL said, “Providing the best of services to our consumers and ensuring their safety is our prime objective and hence such incidents pose a major threat to the safety and well-being of our consumers and ground staff and also cause damage to our underground cable network. We are willing to extend any support from our side in order to safeguard our power cables and urge all the concerned civic agencies to inform us beforehand in order to facilitate the work.”
In order to spruce up coordination with the other Civic Utilities and to sensitize general public, Tata Power-DDL has put up sign boards and Road Markers along its underground cable network.
About Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited:
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited is a joint venture between Tata Power & the Government of NCT of Delhi with the majority stake being held by Tata Power Company (51%).
Serving a populace of 7 Million with a customer base of 1.64 Million in a distribution area of 510 sq. km. and peak load of 2074 MW, the company distributes electricity in North Delhi.