Replace power transmission lines with underground cables: Task Force report
| Date :16-Sep-2019 |
Staff Reporter :
In its report submitted recently to Standing Committee of National Board for Wild Life (NBWL), the Task Force constituted by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has suggested replacement of existing power transmission lines with insulated cables or underground cables ‘on priority basis’ to reduce wildlife mortality. The Task Force was constituted to suggest eco-friendly measures to mitigate impact of power transmission lines and other power transmission infrastructure on wildlife and elephants. It comprised representatives of MoEF&CC, Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and wildlife experts. The mandate of the Task Force was to examine the guidelines of Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to suggest measures not included in those, and recommend the measures to CEA and Ministry of Power so that they issue necessary directions to State Governments/ State Electricity Boards to adopt these measures while planning future transmission line. Accordingly, the Task Force prepared its report and submitted the same to Standing Committee of NBWL recently.
In the report, it has made several recommendations. The most important being the suggestion to the replace the existing power transmission lines with insulated cables or underground cables to reduce death of wild animals due to coming in contact with those. “A nationwide strategy should be developed and supported to undertake the long-term planning of electricity grid networks as a priority. Planning should include the use of state-of-the-art wildlife protection equipment, and burying low to medium voltage transmission lines below ground where feasible,” it has recommended. Further, to prevent death of animals in forest areas due to electrocution by the electricity distribution lines, the distribution companies have been advised to ‘preferably’ use aerial bunched cables or underground cables. To give it a legal status, the Task Force has recommended amendment to CEA (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 to include ‘underground cable or aerial bunched cables or covered conductors’ in Rule 59 (3) that relates to laying of transmission lines of 33KV and below passing through habitated urban or rural areas, any forest area other than national park, wildlife sanctuary, conservation reserve, community reserve, eco-sensitive zone around protected area and wildlife corridor.
The Task Force has pitched for ‘immediate rectification’ of sagging transmission lines and cables of existing transmission lines in the protected areas. The rectification is to be done by electricity supply utilities, PGCIL, CEA, and State Electricity Boards. Also, a joint inspection is to be undertaken at least thrice a year, of every transmission/ distribution line passing through protected areas or through the vicinity of protected areas.
The joint inspection is expected to be carried out by officials of Forest Department and Electricity Department. Such inspections are to be carried out before and after monsoon. Forest Department has been asked to inform the power supplier/ line owner about every electrical accident occuring in and around forest area involving human beings/ animals. The Electrical Inspector concerned should investigate all electrical accidents and take suitable measures. The routing of transmission lines and shifting of transmission structures should be done collaboratively, states the Task Force report. The collaborative effort should involve electricity supplier company, Government bodies, conservation agencies, land-owners, and ‘other interested and affected parties’.
The Task Force has also recommended removal of earth(ing) wires to reduce bird collisions. However, considering that earth(ing) wires protect power line installations from lightning strikes, it has suggested using line marker devices/bird reflectors in sufficient numbers to deflect birds to take alternate path. Standing Committee of NBWL accepted all the recommendations of the Task Force, except for the one relating to bird collisions. In case of areas where elephants rub their backs and trunk against electricity poles, the Task Force has suggested use of reinforced electric poles fitted with spikes and lifting of sagging overhead power lines. Besides, it has suggested insulation of overhead wires across all elephant habitats and elephant movement zones and ‘removal or dismantling of all defunct solar-powered fences’.