India, Nov. 2 -- Recurrent damage to underground electricity cables during the widening of the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway between Wakad bridge and Chandani Chowk has raised concerns over the safety of power infrastructure, with the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) alleging that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) contractor continued construction despite repeated warnings.

The cables were damaged on October 16, 17 and 31, disrupting power supply and inconveniencing around 40,000 consumers. On October 16, a 22-kV cable supplying the Beverly feeder was damaged during highway work. The following day, another 22-kV cable belonging to the Nia feeder was damaged near Bitwise chowk. A third incident ...