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.
