ALAPPUZHA: The accidents due to the snapping of live electric wires are increasing due to the lack of advanced technologies in the power distribution system in the state. During the last two years (2014-15), the state witnessed at least 1102 accidents, including 485 fatal, according to the KSEB data.
The victims are not adequately compensated and not even a single person has been prosecuted. Just a few days ago in Kottayam, a son and a mother were electrocuted by a snapped wire. According to the KSEB data, while 513 accidents, including 235 fatal, occurred in 2014, at least 589, including 250 fatal, took place in 2015.
Mr Muhammad Sherif, Deputy Chief Engineer (Safety), says the board in the rural areas is using low-guarantee aluminium conductors. In many districts, the poor quality conductors are being replaced with aluminium conductor steel-reinforced cable (ACSR) that could prevent snapping from ordinary incidents like falling of trees and branches. There is no other technology introduced by the board in distribution.
The public must alert the board officials about snapped wires on emergency numbers such as 1912 and 9496 061 061, he says. As part of an awareness campaign, students had advised the people on setting up earth-leakage circuit breaker (ELCB) in every house.
Advertisement boards and illegal cables must be removed from electric posts. The people should not use the surroundings of electric posts for drying up their cloths, as per the board’s precautionary measures. According to the board, standardization of work is going on.
According to Sivaranman Pillai, relative of Abhiram R. Nair, an eight-year-old student who was electrocuted in June 12 , 2014 at Venmony here, they were still fighting for the compensation as they were paid only Rs 1 lakh. The board will provide at least '5 lakh per victim if it is a genuine case.
