Elephanta to get uninterrupted electricity soon

Popular tourist island barely 25 km away from Mumbai, Elephanta caves, is going to get 24x7 electricity supply for the first time since Independence. The government has decided to lay submarine electricity cables from under the sea near the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT). The project cost is expected to be around Rs 24 crore and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis is likely to lay the foundation stone for the ambitious project on August 15. At present, over 300 families residing in the area get partial fuel-generated electricity.

“We are soon going to start uninterrupted electricity supply to Elephanta Island. The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MAHADISCOM) will carry the work. A consultant has been appointed to conduct a survey to lay submarine cables,” energy minister Chandrashekhar Bavankule said. He also added that the CM is likely to lay the foundation stone for the project on August 15.

The submarine cable will be laid from JNPT, which is 2.5 km away from the Elephanta caves at a depth of 15 to 25 metres under the sea. This will help over 300 families to get electricity supply, an official from the energy department said.

Elephanta, also known as Gharapuri, has Hindu as well as Buddhist caves sculpted between the fifth and eighth century. The Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation also organises the Elephanta Festival every year. An earlier attempt to generate solar energy had failed completely.