Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty informed the State Assembly that ‘line patrolling’ along 1,20,782 km of overhead power lines revealed 45,200 defects. As of the statement, 15,511 of these identified issues have been rectified, with the remaining defects scheduled for correction in a time-bound manner. The Minister also reported that 170 individuals died between 2016 and July 20, 2025, as a result of coming into contact with snapped live wires. This disclosure occurred in response to questions from Opposition UDF MLAs, who highlighted recent electrical accidents, including the death of a 13-year-old student. A majority of accidents related to snapped conductors reportedly occur during the southwest monsoon months of May, June, July, and August.
Additionally, the Power department is investigating the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) to prevent future electrical mishaps. A committee has been formed, consisting of officials from the Indian Institute of Technology-Palakkad, the Kerala State Electricity Board, and the Electrical Inspectorate, to assess the feasibility of integrating AI into safety protocols.
Source: www.thehindu.com