With Independence Day round the corner, power discom BSES issued an advisory in relation to metal-coated manjha used for flying kites.
The advisory warned that flying kites, using metal coated manjha , near electrical installations can be hazardous as it can, and has been noticed to, lead to trippings and even electrocutions.
The BSES said RWAs were also being informed to caution members about the perils of flying kites near electricity installations and using metal-coated manjha .
"Kite flying is an integral part of Independence Day celebrations. Sometimes this otherwise innocuous activity can be hazardous, even fatal. Flying kites in itself is not the problem; it’s the metal-coated thread or manjha which becomes a real threat," the BSES said in a statement.
According to the BSES, the wide-spread use of metal coated manjha – being a good conductor of electricity – poses a great danger not only to the person flying the kite, but also to the electricity supply of an area.
Each year there are several instances on both counts, the statement said.
According to estimates, the BSES said, tripping of just one 33/66 KV overhead line can disrupt power supply to over 10,000 residents of an area. Last year, the statement claimed, there were around 45 instances of kite-flying related accidents in BSES-monitored areas.
"In the run-up to Independence Day, we have put our Operations and Maintenance teams on high alert to take care of any kite-flying related contingencies," said a senior BSES official.
People should enjoy kite flying, but they should do it responsibly, the BSES said.
"We advise residents not to fly kites near electricity installations, including overhead cables and certainly avoid using metal-coated manjha . These two simple mantras will ensure safe I-Day celebrations," the spokesperson added
