Lok Sabha Question No. 3066 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-21
Subject: Strength of High Tension Electric Power Poles/ Wires
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Prabhubhai Nagarbhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3066 ANSWERED ON 21.12.2023

## STRENGTH OF HIGH TENSION ELECTRIC POWER POLES/WIRES

## 3066. SHRI PARBHUBHAI NAGARBHAI VASAVA:

## Will the Minister of POWER

be  pleased  to  state  the  details  of  steps  taken  as  on  date,  by  the  Union Government, in coordination with the State Government of Gujarat, for regular checking of strength of high tension electric power poles/wires as there have been some incidents of collapse of high tension electric power poles/wires in other States as on date?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

As per Electricity Act 2003, distribution of electricity is a licensed activity and it is the duty of the respective distribution licensee to develop and maintain an  efficient,  safe  and  economical  distribution  system  in  its  area  of  supply. Hence,  it  is  the  responsibility  of  the  distribution  utilities  to  take  measures required for operation and maintenance  of distribution system  including checking  the  strength  of  poles/  wires  of  HT/  LT  lines  to  maintain  quality  and reliable  power supply in its area of operation. Further, high tension and extra high  tension  lines  and  conductors are  checked  during  routine patrolling,  fault tripping and breakdown by utility staff, wherein, the parts of towers/ poles like cross  arms,  insulators,  hard-wares  &  conductors,  jumpers  are  checked  at regular interval for its healthiness. Also, foundations, stub, members of towers/ H-frame  structures  are  assessed  and  rectification  are  done  under  normal course, while stub strengthening, deterioration of structures are replaced under R&M plan on yearly basis.

CEA (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, specify safety measures for construction, operation and maintenance of power stations,   sub-stations,  transmission  and   distribution  lines.    It lays down the

safety measures required for electrical installations, overhead lines and others. These regulations are  applicable  to  electrical  installations,  which  encompass electrical plants, electric lines, and individuals or entities involved in activities such as electricity generation, transmission, distribution, supply or consumption.

Further, CEA (Technical Standards for Construction of Electrical Plants and  Electric  Lines)  Regulations,  2022,  have  provisions  for  strengthening  of poles/ wires in disaster prone areas/ coastal areas:

- i. In coastal areas, higher strength poles like rail poles or spun poles are to be used or underground cables are to be used.
- ii. Suitable insulating paint shall preferably be provided on bare conductors in coastal areas to prevent corrosion.

CEA also prepared 'Report of Task Force on Cyclone Resilient Robust Electricity Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Infrastructure in Coastal Area' in  May,  2021,  which  was  circulated  to  all  the  States  by  Ministry  of  Power  in June, 2021, to take the measures suggested in the Report for dealing with and minimizing the impact of cyclones.

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