The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has initiated a vital safety measure to protect residents from the risk of electrocution, a persistent hazard during the rainy season.
The civic body has decided to cover streetlamp posts across the city with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) rubber sheeting, aimed at reducing the chances of accidents due to electrical malfunctions, especially during waterlogged conditions. This measure comes after several tragic incidents, highlighting the need for immediate intervention. The heightened risk of electrocution arises every year during monsoon rains when people are forced to wade through waterlogged streets. With the city’s lamp posts often submerged in water, the risk of encountering exposed live wires increases significantly. To mitigate this danger, KMC has chosen to cover the posts with PVC, an effective electrical insulator, extending the coverage up to seven feet above the pavement. This initiative seeks to ensure public safety while also aligning with the larger goal of creating a safer and more resilient urban infrastructure.
The KMC’s decision follows the tragic death of a local vendor last August, who was electrocuted when he came into contact with a live wire on Justice Dwarkanath Road in Bhowanipore, which had been submerged under water. This incident, among others, prompted the municipal body to review its approach to ensuring public safety during the wet season. A senior official from the Lighting & Electricity department of KMC stated that the covering of lamp posts with PVC is set to begin on May 15, with work expected to progress swiftly across the city. According to the official, borough-level engineers have been instructed to prioritise areas with frequent waterlogging issues, as these are considered the most vulnerable to such accidents. “The aim is to cover as many lamp posts as possible before the monsoon season begins, to prevent any untoward incidents,” said the official.
The KMC’s plan also includes raising the height of junction boxes, an electrical component that houses wiring and controls for street lighting, to prevent them from being submerged during heavy rainfall. The junction boxes will be elevated to a height of three feet above the pavement, ensuring that water does not damage the electrical infrastructure and pose further risks. Experts in urban safety have praised the initiative, recognising its importance in protecting vulnerable citizens from preventable accidents. “PVC is an excellent material for electrical insulation, and its use to cover lamp posts will provide a much-needed safeguard against electrocution,” said an electrical engineer based in Kolkata. “It is imperative that we also focus on improving infrastructure to withstand waterlogging, which remains a significant issue in many parts of the city.”
The initiative, which will cover a total of 3 lakh lamp posts, comes with a substantial cost estimate of Rs 18 crore. While the cost may seem steep, experts argue that this investment is crucial for reducing fatalities and improving the overall safety of the urban environment. The cost per lamp post is expected to range between Rs 600 and Rs 800 for the PVC covering, with the work being carried out based on the availability of funds. While the KMC’s safety measure is expected to significantly reduce electrocution risks, experts also highlight the need for broader urban planning reforms to address the root causes of waterlogging. Kolkata has long struggled with drainage issues, which worsen during the monsoon season, often leading to widespread flooding. This creates not only safety hazards but also disrupts daily life, with roads becoming impassable for days at a time.
Some experts are calling for a more integrated approach to addressing waterlogging and electrical safety. They recommend the establishment of more robust drainage systems that can handle heavy rainfall, as well as the incorporation of smarter technologies that can monitor and manage water levels more efficiently. The KMC’s decision to implement this proactive measure is also in line with the city’s larger efforts to modernise its infrastructure and adapt to changing environmental conditions. As urban areas across the globe are facing the effects of climate change, cities like Kolkata must adopt comprehensive strategies to protect both their infrastructure and citizens. Initiatives like this one offer a glimpse into a future where civic bodies take greater responsibility for public safety, fostering a safer and more sustainable urban living environment.
While this initiative may seem like a small step, it is part of a much-needed shift in how municipal authorities approach urban safety and sustainability. By taking preventive measures ahead of the monsoon season, KMC not only ensures public safety but also builds trust within the community, showing a commitment to the welfare of all its residents. In addition to electrocution prevention, the KMC has also been working on improving other aspects of urban life, from waste management to public transportation. However, as the monsoon season draws near, the focus remains on safeguarding the city’s vulnerable infrastructure. The PVC covering of lamp posts is just one part of a larger initiative to make Kolkata a safer, more resilient, and environmentally-friendly city.
As work progresses in the coming weeks, Kolkata’s residents can expect a more robust urban environment, one that seeks to prevent tragedies while fostering a stronger sense of community safety. However, with the monsoon season fast approaching, the effectiveness of these measures will be tested in real-time, and only time will tell if they can adequately address the growing safety concerns of Kolkata’s citizens.
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