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Bescom loses Rs 2.53 cr in infrastructure damage in just a couple of rain spells

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: In a poor reflection on the state of rain preparedness of Bescom, the power utility suffered a staggering loss of Rs. 2.53 crore due to damage to infrastructure across eight districts after the downpour on Monday.

This is double the loss suffered by Bescom on Friday, May 3. (Rs. 1.18 crore) On May 6, Bengaluru received 19mm rainfall, according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).

As many as 84 transformers, along with 229 poles were damaged in Bengaluru Urban district alone which will cost the power company Rs. 23.8 lakh and Rs. 99.3 lakh respectively to set right.

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Damages in Ramanagara district went up to Rs. 51.7 lakh, followed by Kolar district (Rs. 48.57 lakh and Bengaluru Rural (Rs. 24.13 lakh).

However, Bescom maintained that power was restored at the earliest. Bescom doing its best despite manpower crunch: CR Manager S R Nagaraj, general manager, customer relations Bescom, blamed the manpower crunch for the delays in restoring power.

The timing of the rains in the evening and the gusty winds, also contributed to the delay, he asserted. The helpline number 1912, which was reportedly switched off, can take only 300 callers in a queue which added to consumers' woes.

“In view of the increase in grievances, we have doubled the queue,” Nagaraj said. The Bescom also launched its Whatsapp grievance numbers on Tuesday. “We have received complaints with visuals and have solved their grievances,” Nagaraj added.