OREANDA-NEWS. February 7, 2012. Tata Power, India’s largest integrated private power player, has undertaken several initiatives to promote and ensure safety not just at the workplace but also in its areas of operation. In line with the company’s values ‘I trust and care’, transmission division, Mumbai operations, Tata Power, conducted its annual programme on safety called ‘Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan’ in schools and neighbouring societies.

On January 25 and 27, 2012, transmission division, Tata Power, conducted Jan Jagruti Abhiyan at Narayanrao Acharya Vidyaniketan, Chembur, and Shankar Rao Acharya Vidya Niketan, Vashi. More than 1,050 students from Classes 5 to 10 were present during the sensitisation sessions along with their teachers. Each session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer session which helped students to clear their doubts and misconceptions regarding electrical safety.

Tata Power’s line maintenance department, Kalyan, carried out a 'road show’ at Mumbra, Thane, on February 1, 2012, to create awareness about the hazards of conducting any activity under / in the vicinity of high voltage transmission lines. During inspections and line outages, line engineers and line staff interacted with local residents working under / in the vicinity of transmission lines to make them aware of the dangers involved in residing or working in the vicinity of these lines. During the road show, line staff educated citizens about the causes of electrical accidents which could be:

Kite flying in the vicinity of high tension (HT) lines.

Stringing of cable TV / telephone wires across / in the vicinity of HT lines.

Unauthorised power connections.

Construction / vertical raising of residential structures under / in the vicinity of HT lines.

Unauthorised movement of crane / dumper under the HT lines.

Plantation of tall growing trees under the HT lines.

Speaking on the initiative, Ashok Sethi, head, Mumbai operations, said, “The objective is to spread this message amongst as many citizens as possible to reduce unauthorised activity near transmission lines, thereby reducing line tripping and injuries to bystanders. Regular sessions such as this are planned in the year to reach out to a wider audience.”

DS Kudalkar, head, transmission, Mumbai operations, Tata Power, added, “At Tata Power, the Safety of our employees and stakeholders is of prime importance to us. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the well-being of citizens by educating them on electrical safety measures to be taken around the transmission lines.”

Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan is aimed at increasing awareness amongst citizens of the hazards of carrying out unauthorised activity under / in the vicinity of HT lines. These sessions include a presentation and a short film on the hazards of unauthorised construction of structures, flying kites, TV cable stringing, drying clothes, etc under / in the vicinity of HT lines, and ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’.