DTL cautions owners of properties under high-voltage electricity lines

In the wake of recent incidents of tripping of high tension electricity lines which cause power outages in several areas, the Delhi Transco Ltd has cautioned people not to construct houses below their lines as it is hazardous for their life. The advisory was issued after all the letters to land owning agencies to remove these unauthorised constructions fell on deaf ears.

“As per the Central Electricity Authority regulations, no building should be constructed under the existing lines. A 35 meter wide space is required for 220 KV transmission lines while 52 meters for 400 KV line,” said spokesperson of Delhi Transco Ltd, a public sector unit of Delhi government for wheeling of electricity in the city.

The officer further informed that recently such a major incident occurred on April 10 in Sarita Vihar area where a 220 KV high tension line came in contact with a water tank placed atop a building under it. The 220 KV Sarita Vihar-Pragati Circuit tripped leaving the entire area in the dark for over six hours. The power supply was arranged through alternative sources by DTL officers to BSES to maintain the supply. DTL through its network gets electricity from high tension lines and supplies them to DISCOMS – BESES Yamuna, BSES Rajdhari and TDDPL; which finally distribute the electricity to the consumers. A similar incident was reported on April 9, wherein a television cable came in contact with 220 KV Bamnauli – DIAL electricity circuit, this lead to tripping of the line for around an hour.

“The unauthorised constructions under the transmission lines are creating problems in smooth wheeling of power in Delhi. Besides creating problems in transmission, DTL faces problem in regular maintenance of the lines due to the massive unauthorised constructions under these lines,” said the official. These transmission lines were laid long back when there were no buildings under them but later on due to apathy and connivance of land owning agencies like DDA, PWD and MCD; unauthorised constructions came up. These constructions were initially single floor but later on multi-storey buildings were constructed under them. “Over the years people have encroached upon the land and built up their houses and other structures just beneath and around the transmission lines violating the statutory clearances. He further emphasised that they are not only obstacles in smooth transmission of power but also hazardous for the people living there. DTL appealed to the public to remove the unauthorised structures in the vicinity and under the high voltage transmission lines for the safety of their lives and properties as well as for smooth supply of electricity.