Indore: Nearly 900 Houses Built Under High-Tension Power Lines

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): In a disturbing trend that threatens public safety, hundreds of residential buildings have been illegally constructed within the restricted safety zones of extra high-tension transmission lines in the city.

Several densely populated areas, including newly developed colonies, are now at serious risk of fatal electrical accidents.

According to officials from MP Power Transmission Company (MP Transco), structures have been erected dangerously close to or directly beneath transmission lines that were laid years ago, in blatant violation of electrical safety regulations. Over the past three years, MP Transco has issued 892 notices to violators, yet the problem continues to escalate.

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High-risk zones identified

The most vulnerable areas include Limbodi, Musakhedi, Khajrana, Mukherjee Nagar, Banganga, Nemawar Road, Sukhliya, Dewas Naka and Khandwa Road. These localities not only lack the required safety clearance but are also bustling with residential and commercial activity. Buildings under or near the lines remain exposed to electrical hazards due to the sheer proximity to cables carrying voltages as high as 220,000 volts.

Grim reminders: Fatal accidents on record

Multiple past incidents underscore the grave dangers of such encroachments. In Khajrana, a labourer was electrocuted while installing a tin shed. In Bhopal, a construction worker sustained critical injuries and in Jabalpur, a Hyva truck collided with a low-hanging cable, leading to significant damage. These events highlight the real and present danger these illegal constructions pose.

Safety measures and public awareness

To combat the growing threat, MP Transco has ramped up its outreach efforts. Executive engineer Namrata Jain confirmed that the company, in collaboration with the district administration, was conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and using public address systems to warn residents. “Unauthorised construction continues despite clear regulations. We are making every effort to inform the public about the dangers of living too close to these high-voltage lines,” Jain said.

Why the 27-metre rule matters

The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) mandates a minimum safety corridor of 27 metres for transmission lines of 132 kV and above. This buffer zone is crucial to prevent accidental contact with high-voltage wires, which can lead to fatal consequences.

Repeated power disruptions

The consequences are not just potential — they're already happening. Since January 2025, Indore has witnessed 33 power disruptions, 16 of which were directly linked to people or objects entering transmission line zones, MP Transco confirmed.

A deadly comparison

To put the danger in perspective: while household electricity runs at 230 volts, transmission lines in Indore operate at 132 kV to 220 kV — up to 950 times more powerful. Any contact with these lines, even indirectly through nearby structures, can prove instantly lethal.

The way forward

Despite warnings and enforcement, the encroachment problem persists, underscoring the urgent need for stricter action and public cooperation. Experts stress that until illegal constructions are removed and safety norms enforced, the lives of thousands remain in jeopardy, just one power line away from disaster.