CESC set to launch app for electricians' services during power disruption at homes

Kolkata: CESC is all set launch a mobile app for domestic consumers, which will enable them to contact electricians lodged nearest to their residence in case of any sort of power disruption.

The app is expected to be officially launched in the month of June.

According to a senior CESC official, the app will be based on three segments — a knowledge repository indicating do's and don't's of electrical safety, platform for licensed electricians to register thorugh the app and a search option for customers to locate an electrician in closest proximity to his residence from this registered list and contact him in case of any sort of power disruption.

"We are developing this app and hope to formally launch it in June," said Anjan Mitra, manager (power distribution), CESC during a media roundtable organised by International Copper Association (ICA) of India in partnership with Central Electricity Authority (CEA). The discussion focused on electrical safety at home and workplace in the wake of the country witnessing a large number of incidents of electrical accidents.

Speaking at the programme, Amol Kalsekar, chief manager, Building, Wire of ICA said that 5,800 people died in the country in 2017-18 due to electrocution and fire due to electrical short circuit. "In 2017-18 in Bengal there have been around 376 electrical accidents out of which there were 196 fatalities," Kalsekar added..

Rajib Das, DGM (Planning), CESC said the power utility along with state Fire department, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Kolkata Police are carrying out periodic inspection of market places and highrises in the city to ensure that they maintain fire safety standards.

"Whereever we are finding any deficiency we are instructing the building owner or supervisor to do the needful to overcome electrical short circuit or fire hazards," Das added.