HT lines, a grave threat to new layouts

Dangerous: A high power transmission route converted in to a main road at New Selva Nagar in Tiruchi. Photo: R. Ashok

A high-power transmission line at New Selva Nagar has been posing a grave threat to the residents.

The 33 kV line transmits power up to Mannarpuram where, through a step-down process, it is converted in to 11 kV transmission lines for onward supply to areas including Crawford, Mannarpuram, airport and Subamaninapuram.

The transmission lines were erected at least three decades ago when the area had remained agricultural fields.

But, over the years, the area had developed into residential colonies, courtesy the boom in real estate business. It is quite shocking to note that, at the time of approving the layouts, the then local body had not attached importance to allot adequate space on either sides of the transmission towers, with a view to avoiding any possible electrical induction effects.

At least three towers are located on the Main Road in the New Selva Nagar. More ironically, the Corporation has converted even the tower route in to a road facility, ensuring access to residents beyond the towers.

Hardly any heavy vehicle could pass through this Main Road. Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) sources said that apart from the New Selva Nagar, such towers can be seen in areas such as Srinivasa Nagar.

They pointed out that although the possibility of electrical induction can be ruled out under normal conditions, any unforeseen circumstances may cause a grave threat to residents. Normally, at least five metres space should be allotted on either sides of the tower.

Corporation Councillor A. Joseph Jerald points out that the towers were constructed decades ago.

The then village panchayat had granted approval to layouts, without attaching any seriousness to the safety aspect. A saving grace is that not all those who had invested on a piece of land at the New Selva Nagar had not constructed buildings so far. The Corporation has not provided adequate basic facilities, complain residents.

“Mosquito menace has been posing a threat to residents, due to stagnation of last month’s rainwater in the vacant sites,” says K. Sennapparaj, a resident.

He says that fogging should be done in Ponnagar, New Selva Nagar and Milaguparai immediately.

Non-clearing of garbage has been a health hazard. A. Shanmugam and his wife S. Saraswathy say that the Corporation should ensure periodical clearance of garbage. S. Eswari, a member of a self-help group, says that at least hand-pumps should be set up in the New Selva Nagar, as no public taps are available.