Kerala to Upgrade Overhead Power Lines with Aerial Bunched Cables

Quick Summary

• The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has decided to replace bare overhead power lines with aerial bunched cables (ABC) in identified high-risk areas.
• ABCs are insulated cables bundled together, unlike customary uninsulated overhead lines, improving safety.
• This initiative follows recent electrical accidents, including the electrocution of a 13-year-old boy at Boys’ High School, Thevalakkara.
• Specific regions targeted for these safety upgrades include waterlogged localities, school premises, anganwadis, religious institutions, and densely populated accident-prone areas.
• The decision was made during a meeting led by KSEB chairman and managing director Mir Mohammed Ali on July 20.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The KSEB’s move to replace bare overhead power lines with safer aerial bunched cables is a prudent step in response to recent tragic accidents. By prioritizing specific risk zones such as schools and densely populated areas where risks are higher due to proximity or environmental factors like waterlogging, the initiative addresses practical concerns effectively. However, implementing this infrastructure upgrade will likely require important financial and logistical planning.

From an energy policy standpoint, this reflects an essential shift toward prioritizing public safety alongside service delivery. For other states in india facing similar challenges with outdated infrastructure and sporadic electrical hazards, Kerala’s proactive example can serve as motivation for adopting similar measures. Community engagement could further aid the identification of priority zones while ensuring safer energy distribution practices across vulnerable regions.

Read more: Published – august 04th IST