(a) whether a number of transmission towers collapsed/got affected in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi due to heavy rains and thunder storm on 30 May 2014, causing black-out like situation;
(b) whether any inquiry has been conducted in this regard; and
(c) if so, the details and the outcome thereof and the action being taken/proposed to be taken thereon to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 157 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 17.07.2014 REGARDING TRANSMISSION TOWERS.
(a): On 30th May, 2014, a number of transmission towers in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand collapsed or got affected due to heavy rain and thunder storm which affected the power supply in these areas.
(b) & (c): To normalize the power supply in the affected areas, the restoration of transmission lines was undertaken first through deployment of Emergency Restoration System (ERS) and then on normal towers with the help of Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd., a Central Public Sector Undertaking which worked day and night to restore the system in the shortest possible time.
The Standing Committee of Central Electricity Authority (CEA), with members from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and utilities, which investigates such failures, has observed that some of the towers failed due to localized cyclone/whirl-wind conditions. The collapse, in some cases, was accentuated as few members of towers were found missing on account of theft. The Committee has recommended that the design of towers should be reviewed as per the latest Indian Standard codes for further strengthening, and to avoid theft of tower members, patrolling in theft prone areas be intensified.
These recommendations/suggestions of the Standing Committee have been forwarded to the concerned utilities for implementation to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.