Electrocutions on rise in Kerala, compensation a far cry

Alappuzha: The Kerala State Electricity Board Limited has failed to take steps to prevent the fatal accidents due to snapping of electric lines during the monsoon season. The victims are also not paid the compensation in time.

Several persons had approached  the district collector’s grievance redressal drive, ‘Sevanasparsam,’  held recently in  Karthikappally taluk.  Mr M. Raghavan Ottathengil of  Payippad said that his relative  Kunjamma, 65,  was electrocuted by a  snapped live wire on the last Vishu day.   The  KSEBL did not  pay the compensation due to the delay in getting the report on the incident. She is eligible to get at least Rs 5 lakh from the KSEBL.

A student,  Abhiram R. Nair, 8,  was electrocuted on June 12, 2014 at  Venmony here while he was on his way to school along with his mother.   Mr Sivaraman Pillai, his relative,  says they were paid only Rs 1 lakh.   

According to the KSEBL data, at least 463 accidents,  including 208 fatal, were  reported across the state last year.  Besides, some  69 animals also were killed.  

In 2015,  there were  589 accidents, including 250 fatal, and  39 animals were killed.   In  2014,  the number was   513 incidents out of which 235 were fatal.  Thirty-one animals were also electrocuted.      

The  KSEBL lacks advanced technologies in the power distribution system. In the rural areas,  it still  uses low-guarantee aluminium conductors. Aluminium conductor steel-reinforced cable (ACSR) can prevent snapping due to  falling of trees and branches. The KSEBL can be alerted  during emergencies over phone number  1912.

Advertisement boards and illegal cables should be removed from electric posts and  construction works near electric posts should be banned to ensure safety.

The board officials say they conduct line patrol  to find out weak points in rural areas. Standardisation of work is also going on.