Footpath not proper place for ‘killer’ transformers

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

As if placing obstacles on footpaths is not bad enough for the unaware pedestrian, the Bescom sometimes ends up causing even more harm to them. Transformers have been held responsible for a few deaths in the city recently. These could have been avoided, for the electricity supply company has umpteen times before assured to move them out of harm’s way. Only, it failed to keep the promise. Experts in the field tell Y Maheswara Reddy that the simple exercise of regular maintenance reduces the risk factor to almost zero.

An electric transformer is a passive component that transfers electrical energy from one electrical circuit to another circuit or multiple ones to ensure stabilised power supply to households, making them necessary. However, electric transformers have become scary for residents of Bengaluru.

It is not that all electric transformers are dangerous but people dread even to pass on the cross roads or footpaths where electric transformers are placed legally or illegally. The unfortunate tragic incident that claimed the life of a pedestrian on Church Street has woken up the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) authorities to think about replacing old transformers or relocating transformers that have become dangerous to pedestrians. It may be recalled that Manoj Kumar came in contact with a metal mesh placed around the transformer on Church Street. It is alleged that Manoj Kumar died of electrocution.

In another incident, it is alleged that negligence of the Bescom staff led to the death of a father and daughter. Shivaraj (55) and Chaitra (19) were going past an electric transformer installed on a footpath near Manganahalli Bridge when the mishap took place. It is said the two were returning home after booking a convention hall for the latter’s marriage.

Like any other department, it has become routine for the Bescom authorities to issue a statement announcing a plan to shift transformers from footpaths to other locations or replace old transformers with new ones. The latest assurance is from Energy Minister Sunil Kumar who has assured in the Assembly that he would conduct a meeting with Bescom officials to conduct an audit to replace faulty transformers.

Though Minister for Cooperation ST Somasekhar visited the victims’ family to hand over the compensation, Bescom officials are yet to pull up their socks to replace faulty transformers.

One can see old transformers or those put up on footpaths or adjacent residential buildings in many areas in Bengaluru. It is not that the Bescom has not replaced faulty transformers. It has replaced old and faulty transformers at many localities, but is yet to shift transformers from footpaths at a number of locations. Transformers installed on Infantry Road, Amrutha Halli, Cox Town and Jakkur pose danger to unwary pedestrians.

Many social activists and residents are up in arms against Bescom authorities for not shifting transformers from footpaths. They said that transformers are not only dangerous to pedestrians but also causing a lot of inconvenience to pedestrians. “I am against the Bescom authorities installing transformers on footpath of Ramakrishnappa Road. Though it is a oneway, pedestrians are forced to step onto the busy road to avoid the transformer. Luckily no road accident has taken place here. I want the Bescom authorities to shift it to another location,’’ said a resident of Ramakrishnappa Road.

The activists also question the logic in installing transformers meant for private apartments or high-rise buildings on nearby footpath.

“I am of the opinion that Bescom authorities are helping builders by installing transformers on footpaths. It seems the Bescom authorities are not bothered about the inconvenience caused to pedestrians,’’ said HM Venkatesh, a social activist.

It is estimated that the Bescom has to spend over Rs 5 lakh to replace an old transformer. The price of a transformer depends on its capacity. A few years ago, the Bescom invested Rs 161.44 crore for the replacement of transformers, based on a survey conducted in locations that are known as high-density corridors, in a phased manner.

Ramesh Shivanna, director of Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry, has attributed poor maintenance or poor quality of transformers as the main cause for the mishap in which the father and daughter died. “Bescom engineers must inspect transformers at least once a year. They should check the oil level in every transformer. There is every possibility of a poorly-maintained transformer bursting and plunging the area in darkness, not to mention the risk it poses to people,’’ said Ramesh Shivanna.

Transformers are one of the safest electric equipment