MP Transco conducts live-line maintenance on 220kV Bhopal city power system
- January 12, 2026
State utility Madhya Pradesh Power Transmission Company Ltd (MP Transco) successfully executed a highly critical live-line maintenance operation on its EHV transmission system, with the objective of maintaining uninterrupted power supply to capital city Bhopal.
In a release, MP Transco said that critical components of the isolator assembly installed on the 220kV main bus at the 400kV Sookhi Sewania substation, Bhopal, were recently found to be damaged.
Under normal operational conditions, rectification of such defects necessitates shutdown of the concerned bus, which would have led to large-scale load curtailment and possible grid disturbances affecting Bhopal and adjoining areas.
Hot-line technique
Considering the operational constraints and grid reliability requirements, the Additional Chief Engineer (Bhopal), Pradeep Raghav, approved execution of the repair work under live-line conditions without isolating the 220kV system. The operation was carried out under his supervision and the guidance of Executive Engineer, Bhopal, Anurag Pant, the release noted.
The Hot Line Maintenance team of Transmission Line Maintenance Division, Bhopal, trained in bare-hand live-line methodology, performed the task from an insulated platform. By maintaining equipotential conditions and strictly adhering to all prescribed safety protocols, the team successfully replaced the damaged 220kV isolator jaw while the system remained energized.
The operation was led by line maintenance personnel Jadhav, Pawar and Madhur Mausam. Significant coordination and technical support were provided by the Assistant Engineer of the 400kV Bhopal substation, R. K. Gaiki, along with senior substation maintenance staff member Ranveer Singh, the release said.
No grid interruption
At the time of execution, both 220kV main buses were collectively carrying a load of approximately 1,000 MW, substantially exceeding the permissible loading of a single bus. Any shutdown of the 220kV main bus under such conditions could have resulted in major power outages, system congestion, and operational instability in the Bhopal power network.
The successful completion of this complex live-line maintenance task reflects MP Transco’s advanced technical capability, operational planning, swift decision-making, and availability of highly trained manpower. The intervention ensured system security, grid reliability, and continuity of power supply to the capital city without any consumer impact, the release added.
Also read: MP Transco successfully completes onsite repair of 40 MVA power transformer
Featured collage shows the live-line maintenance executed by MP Transco (Photos: MP Transco)