BRIEF DISCUSSION NOTE OF PANEL DISCUSSION

ON

“ELECTRICAL ACCIDENTS & DEATHS—CAUSE & PREVENTION”

DATE: 22.08.2020

VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT, ABHIYAN

1. The Video Conference started with OPENING REMARK, mentioning with objective of the Discussion,
citing the case of recent fatal incident at Srisailam Hydro-electric Project and other few incidents
with grief concern about the loss of human lives. All panellists were also introduced to the
attendees by Er P.K.Pattanaik
2. Then Er Gopa Kumar presented the base paper mentioning with Evolution of LV Distribution till date
in the context of Indian and Overseas practices as per the prevalent Rules and Regulations.
3. Er P.K.Pattanaik moderated the session bringing the panellist into discussion floor, requesting them
to deliver their views/remarks/suggestions with the specific Focus on IMPROVEMENTS/WORKABLE
& TECHNO-ECONOMICAL Solutions with value addition note in line with Indian Context.
4. Er Ms Anjuli Chandra spoke about the CEA regulations on Safety aspects relating to LV supply and
Distribution system up to 33KV, with concluding remarks that massive movement should be there
for educating the engineers/workmen in the downstream about Safety guidelines with stringent
action in the case of lapse of the norms. All the regulations instead of language format should be
depicted in pictorial representation for easy understanding.
5. Er. S. Appavoo supplemented the views of Ms Anjuli Chandra with an addition note that CEA
guidelines have not been in proper implementation, reason being the lack of training to the practice
engineers and electricians. On concluding note, he emphasized on the point for conducting of
Training sessions to the entire stakeholder starting from regulators to end users. General public
should also be inducted to the awareness programme on the pre-cautionary points while using
electricity.
6. Er C.P. George explained about State utility practices, citing the example of Kerala state with specific
lacunae regarding the field circumstances, attitude and mind-set of Distribution engineers. Finally
ended with the remarks that Enforcement of the regulations and standards are the key to develop
better safety environment. So an exclusive independent organizational hierarchy accountable for
enforcement of safety regulations and provisions under various rules and regulations as envisaged
in CEA safety regulations- 2011 may be considered.
7. Er. Rajesh Bansal presented to the virtual gathering with real examples of Ground Zero issues,
mentioning with the pictorial snap shots and reasons being the CHALTA –HEY attitude of the end
users. He also suggested few practical and workable solutions towards the issues, mentioning few
like approval of civil construction plan with detail electrical network, modification of the metering
system to the Meter + Protection module- an intelligent devices for measurement and protection
 device. He also emphasises on the simple but strong concept that Safety (Surakshya) should be
shouldered by own as SELF SAFETY ( Sab-Rakshya) instead of fixing responsibility to the suppliers.
8. Er Sanjay Patki very particularly extended the lucid explanation on citing the Techno-economic
aspects of protection to adopt technical performance norms and to address sensitivity of protection
devices, which establish norms for time to clear fault ensuring selectivity so that impact of isolation
of network is felt by minimum consumers. The choice of Protection and isolation devices can be
guided by these performance norms at all levels and sections of distribution network. The
concluding remark was that new and updated technology should be crawled into field application
soon, developing awareness among the end users.
9. Er. Sthitaprajnyan Sharma narrated the Concept of High Impedance Fault and Workable Practical
Protection system relating to the same and claimed that this protection could be implemented with
the sooner is better.
10. Er Y.V. Joshi focussed regarding the Impact on EHT system due to problems/issues on LT
distribution. He also enunciated few of the practical solutions as adopted in GETCO and shared the
true statistical report/data on the improvement in the system and reduction of accident. Finally he
strongly embarked that the title as “VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT, ABHIYAN” should be attempted
for the greater acceptance to the actual public of the nation.
11. Concluding Remark was extended by Er P.K.Pattanaik with the collective views from all respected
panellist that “We are committed for our nation and on the auspicious day of GANESH CHATURTHI;
we take this vow to expedite “VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT, ABHIYAN” for the goal of ZERO
ACCIDENT and ZERO LOSS OF LIVES.”
12. Other Salient Points:
a. Around 400+ engineers were in remote support to our discussion as the participants for this
virtual discussion.
b. Draft White Paper relating to our “VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT, ABHIYAN” is now under progress
by Er Gopa Kumar and team for circulation and kind submission to regulators, utilities and
others.
c. Soon “VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT, ABHIYAN” group shall be created by seeking the help of
interested engineers all across nation.
d. Er. PP Wahi on his suggestion mentioned that in our SPARK group, we have engineers all across
country from diversified field and their word to mouth should be explored for expedition of this
ABHIYAN. All seniors in the range of Chairman, ED, MD from different organisations/institutions
should also be requested to be the part of this movement.

Appeal: The white paper preparation is on progress. We request all the interested members to be the
part of this noble cause and extend your views to me either through my WhatsApp number or post in
our exclusive VIDYUT SURAKSHIT BHARAT group.