Over 4,500 died of electrocution in Maharashtra in 5 years
| Date :18-Jun-2019 |
By Shirish Borkar:
586 persons electrocuted in Nagpur district in past five years
MORE than 4,500 persons, including 586 from Nagpur district, died of electrocution across the State in the past five years. The figure may cross 5,000 mark after Electrical Inspectorate submits its report of 2018-19 to the State Government. These also include 1,275 employees of power distribution companies who were electrocuted while repairing or installing electrical equipment. In 2013-14, 146 persons were electrocuted in Nagpur district, 115 in 2014-15, 91 in 2015-16, 78 in 2016-17, 84 in 2017-18 and 82 in 2018-19. On an average, 94 to 100 persons are electrocuted across the district every year. However, 10 per cent of the cases of electrical accidents are allegedly not reported to the authorities. Most of the electrical accidents occur due to carelessness of the people and not taking any safety measures before handling household equipment like air-cooler, water coolers, geyser, mixers, washing machine, television, and other electrical and electronic equipment. Cases of electrocution have also been reported while stealing power from the overhead supply lines.
Employees of state-owned electricity distribution companies also die because of their casual approach while repairing the conductors or installing other equipment. Linemen, sometimes, carry out repairs without disconnecting supply lines. Their over-confidence is also one of the reasons for fatal accidents. Most of the fatalities occur on 11 kV and 33 kV high tension (HT) lines due to violation of rules framed by Central Electricity Authority of India as per the provisions of the Electrcity Act amended from time-to-time. As per rules, minimum distance to be maintained horizontally for 11 kV HT line should be 1.2 metre from the structure and vertically 3.7 metre from building. For 33 kV HT line, the minimum horizontal and verticle distance from the structure should be two metre and 3.7 metre respectively.
Similarly, the minimum distance between low tension line (LT) and structure or building should be 3.7 metre vertically and 1.2 metre horizontally. A study revealed that 50 per cent of the accidents occur due to non-maintenance of clearances between crossing of high tension and low tension lines. Similarly, electrical accidents are reported due to damaged coal earthing as it results in non-tripping of conductor. When a current of five Milliampere (mA) or more passes through body, a person experiences electric shock. A current of 10-15mA through body, causes muscle contract. A person holding a live wire or an object by hand will not be able to release the grip of the hand holding live wire or object. But, a current of 50mA-100mA through body, results in ventricular fibrillation of heart. This means that the normal rhythm of the heart’s pumping action stops and the pulse disappears. Likewise, a current of 100mA or more through body can also prove fatal.
Therefore, experts suggest installation of Earth Leakage Current Breaker in every house to prevent electrical fatal accidents. Recently, a fatal accident took place after an uninsulated portion of an overhead TV cable came in contact with an electric supply line. The service providers lay these cables overhead by taking support of the existing electricity poles, trees and terrace of buildings. While crossing the roads, these cables just pass over the already laid live high voltage and low voltage conductors which are not insulated. During storm or strong winds, these cables develop friction with live conductors. The insulation of the cables damage and they become good conductors of electricity. This poses potential danger to human lives.
At present, there are no set of rules how these TV cables are to be laid without hindrance to other services. Taking suo motu cognisance of the unfortunate deaths of two school going children who had come in contact with high tension line on May 31, 2017, Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court had constituted an Experts Committee to conduct physical inspection of dangerously located spots in proximity to high tension lines in Nagpur city which are prone to electrical accidents. The High Court has asked the committee to submit report dealing with the issues of accountability, responsibility and preventive and remedial measures.