Yuva Sena Leader Demands Navi Mumbai Cable Reforms After Fatal Student Electrocution
Following a fatal cable fault incident that claimed the lives of two students, Yuva Sena leader Nikhil Mandve urged the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) on July 9, 2026, to implement permanent, technology-driven underground cable safety reforms across Navi Mumbai.
Mandve, who serves as the District General Secretary of the Yuva Sena (Eknath Shinde faction), sent a letter to the Municipal Commissioner stating that the tragedy underscored the need for long-term preventive infrastructure and safety planning. He urged the civic administration to adopt preventive policies aimed at eliminating risks before they lead to loss of life, rather than reacting only after accidents occur.
Among the key recommendations, Mandve called for the installation of dedicated cable ducts. He suggested that underground power cables should no longer be laid directly in the soil. Instead, they should be housed within secure and independent duct systems to minimise damage and facilitate maintenance.
He also proposed city-wide digital mapping of underground cables, along with mandatory technical audits every six months. According to his proposal, future road planning should include dedicated cross-section utility ducts to prevent damage to underground electrical infrastructure during excavation and civic works.
Mandve further recommended deploying smart monitoring systems equipped with leakage current sensors at critical junctions. Such systems would enable early detection of electrical faults and trigger immediate alerts, reducing the risk of fatal accidents.
In addition to technological upgrades, the Yuva Sena leader stressed the need for stricter safety protocols during cable installation. He said only high-quality materials should be used for underground electrical networks. He also stated that engineers from the electricity department should be mandatorily present during road excavation and utility works to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Emphasising that public safety, particularly that of students, cannot be compromised, Mandve urged the civic administration to seriously consider these technical reforms and accord them priority in the upcoming municipal budget to strengthen the city's underground electrical infrastructure and prevent future tragedies.
