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Transformer too close to the House
Written By Tina Valerine Raj - 12 July, 2011
Bangalore BESCOM Power Supply Need Help footpaths Transformers
Hi Sir,
My name is Tina. I was part of the Civic Awareness and Social Responsibilities Credit Course class that you took in Mount Carmel College.
My uncle's house is under construction. Right next to it, there is a transformer that has been put up, which is almost touching his wall.
He asked BESCOM to help and shift this transformer to a different place. They are asking him to pay an amount of 4lakhs.
What can be done now? Do we agree to pay?
COMMENTS
murali772 - 13 July, 2011 - 08:20
@ Tina - Yes, I do recall you as amongst the active participants during my talk at your college.
Now, in my understanding, if a transformer is obstructing the movement to and from a house/ establishment adjoining it, it is the duty of BESCOM to shift it out of the way, at their cost. So, if somebody is asking you money for it (and, that too, Rs 4 lakhs), I think he is playing games.
At what level was this? Why don't you escalate the matter to the next level. The names and contact particulars of BESCOM officials may be accessed here.
If you find the higher level official also talking the same language, ask him where it says so in their manual. If it's a bluff, it'll come out then. Do post the developments here (on PRAJA) with the names of the officers. The BESCOM MD looks in here once in a while, and if any misdeed comes to his notice, you can rest assured he'll take action.
Simultaneously, submit on official application for the transfer, and get an acknowledgement. You can then follow up on that through RTI.
Mani1972 - 20 July, 2011 - 03:37
Dear Murali sir,
You have given the right advice. For any grievance, consumer need to contact us (BESCOM) first, rather approaching any other forum. I think public don't approach us directly, due to lack of credibility of public institutions!
They can contact BESCOM thru phone or email/fax or addressing letter to the 'GM, Customer Relations, BESCOM, KR circle.
Regarding transformer shifting, BESCOM does not entertain any application. 'Status quo' is maintained. Shifting is possible only in 3 cases:
1. Other government agency requests in public interest. They need to bear the cost of shifting.
2. The current location is hazardous and unsafe in the opinion of the local BESCOM Executive Engineer. Cost is born by BESCOM under emergency grants. As emergency funds are less, such cases are taken up only in rare circumstance. ('inconvenience' is not a reason, unless there is a accepted alternate location is available)
3. Personal request, provided, an alternative location is shown, along with NoC from the immediate neighbors, and cost is borne by the person requesting.
BESCOM gets so many requests for shifting of transformers. We apply the above rule strictly, with no exceptions! Nobody wants to have the transformer near the house. The issue is complicated by the additional cost and technical issues involved in shifting. There is digging of road and laying of cables. Hence, transformer shfting is a rare activity.
Hope the above information helps. For more info, kindly contact BESCOM. (080-22873333).
regards
Manivannan
murali772 - 20 July, 2011 - 16:47
Thank you very much, Mr Manivannan. What you have stated appears quite fair.
n - 20 July, 2011 - 20:00
The larger question should be:
Aren't utilities provided right-of-way and small common areas so that junction boxes, transformers etc. can be located away from the houses? The aesthetics of the residential street will not be "spoilt" nor will potential higher electromagnetic effects affect residents. If transformers are pole-mounted, perhaps they can be mounted on higher-than-normal poles and/or the size of the transformers could be reduced to the smallest size possible.
If transformers are in front of approved multi-storied apartments or buildings, an electrical cess should be included in the permit process that allows for shifting utilities. Unfortunately, all this boils down to master-planning and coordinating between different service providers and utilities that is not widely prevalent.
rackstar - 22 July, 2011 - 06:23
The objective is to make footpath obstruction free. Underground will cause maintenance problems during rains. So let the transformer be mounted above 10 feet height - So that people can walk freely below.
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