Discom alert on kite flying during Independence Day in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Kite flying is an integral part of Independence Day celebrations in Delhi, but this decades-old tradition can be hazardous, even fatal, when metal coated manjha (kite string) is used.
Metal coated manjha is a good conductor of electricity and not only poses grave danger to the kite flyer but may also disrupt electricity supply of an area.
Every year, these strings lead to mishaps and power discoms have come up with advisories and will run campaigns for public awareness. A spokesperson of Tata Power-DDL, which supplies electricity in north Delhi, said that tripping of one 33/66 KV overhead line can disrupt power supply to over 2,500 houses in an area and tripping of a single 11 KV line to over 600 housewholds.
“Last year, there were around 12 instances of kite flying-related trappings in Tata Power-DDL areas,” he said.
A BSES spokesperson said a multi-pronged campaign will be carried out in areas where electricity is supplied by BRPL and BYPL, which will include a three-minute video promoting safe ‘kite flying’. He said that tripping related outages can take up to two hours to rectify. Disrupting power supply and causing damage to power equipment is punishable under Electricity and the Delhi Police Acts, he added.