Maintenance of electrical infrastructure could have avoided electrocution at Hope Farm junction: Electrical Inspectorate

The effective maintenance of electrical infrastructure could have prevented the electrocution of Soundharya, the 23-year-old woman, and her baby who died near Hope Farm junction on November 19, the investigation report from the Electrical Inspectorate revealed. The investigation report, prepared by the Deputy Chief Electrical Inspector, Bengaluru East, was submitted to the Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department on December 1, while a copy was also sent to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission and Managing Director of the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company, among others. “If the old and dilapidated wires were identified beforehand and were maintained in good condition, and if the LBS was properly maintained and vermin proofed, and if earth guarding was installed above the concerned 11 KV overhead bare conductor, then based on the findings of the investigation, the accident could have been avoided,” the report says. This was identified by the officials as a High Impedance Fault, which occurs on a distribution network when an energised overhead conductor touches poor conduction surfaces like tree branches, concrete, asphalt among others.