Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 334/13

ELECTRICAL SAFETY

Shillong, June 28, 2013: In view of the accident which occurred at Khliehriat on 27th June 2013, the Inspectorate of Electricity, Meghalaya Shillong has informed that such accidents are avoidable provided the rules and regulations are adhered to during construction of houses or lines. The Inspectorate also warns the citizens of the danger of residing in close proximity to the electric lines, particularly the high tension lines with potential of 11000 volts, 33000 volts and 132000 volts.

Moreover , Regulation 61(1) of the Electricity Rules prohibit the construction of houses under the lines and stipulates “An overhead line shall not cross over an existing building as far as possible and no building shall be constructed under an existing overhead line”. Further, Regulation 61(3) specifies the distance to be maintained between any line and a building and stipulates. “The horizontal clearances between the nearest conductor and any part of the building shall be on the basis maximum deflection due to wind pressure should not be less than 1.2 metres for lines of voltages 650 upto and including 11,000 colts, 2 metres for lines of voltages exceeding 11,000 volts and upto and including 33,000 volts and 2.9 metres for lines of voltages exceeding 33,000 volts upto 1,32,000 volts.