Karunagappally accident: KSEB digs out unused cables from Kochi

KOCHI: KSEB, which started removing useless cable knots from electric posts on an experimental basis, received almost six loads of unused cables from a distance of two kilometres! The new move to clear such unused cables from electric posts comes after the freak accident in Karunagappally which opened the government's eyes.

The trial run is currently in progress from Palarivattom to Thammanam. The local administration has given one month to remove all such used cables while KSEB, albeit working four days a week haven’t yet managed to clear even half of the junk cables that are interrupting road passengers. The work gets difficult as the cables are entangled tightly among other cables in the post which makes it a laborious task to disentangle.

Kochi Corporation was initially entrusted with the task however this ended up in vain. Attempts to appoint private agencies were also unsuccessful. It was at this juncture that KSEB stepped in.

The method consists of untying and lowering the entire cable from the posts in the presence of operators, tagging and restoring only the required ones. In some electric posts, as many as 60 cables are entangled. This has led to an appalling situation where even operators failed to recognize their cable.

The copper cables taken down from posts will be handed over to operators. The fibre cables, that even scrap shop turns down will now end up being a pain to KSEB.

The operators have to pay KSEB Rs 350 per post for laying the cable. Illegal cables also abound.