Power discoms have issued advisories for kite flyers ahead of Independence Day and Rakshabandhan celebrations in Delhi, urging them to maintain caution and refrain from using metal-coated manja (kite string) that can pose danger to life.
Metal-coated manjha, popularly known as Chinese manja, is a potent conductor of electricity which after coming in contact with overhead power lines can cause electric shocks, electrocution, equipment damage and widespread power disruptions.
BSES discoms said in an advisory that kite flyers should stay away from electrical installation and added that metal-coated manjha poses severe risks of power-line tripping and electrocution.
The tripping of a single 33/66 kV overhead line can disrupt power supply to over 10,000 residents, while the tripping of a single 11 kV line can affect over 2,500 residents. Several kite-flying-related trippings are reported every year, it said in a statement.
BSES operations and maintenance teams are on high alert for kite-flying-related contingencies ahead of Independence Day.
“With kite-flying activity expected to increase ahead of Independence Day, BSES urges residents to use only cotton or other natural-fibre thread free from metallic or glass components and to fly kites away from power lines and electrical installations,” said the BSES advisory.
“The kite flying tradition on festivals can turn dangerous, even fatal, when metal-coated manjha is used,” it said.
The discoms have also appealed to elders and parents to stop their children from entering prohibited or barricaded areas around electrical installations to retrieve kites.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) discom has also appealed for safe kite flying near power lines ahead of Independence Day.
Flying kites close to power infrastructure can lead to electricity-related accidents, power disruptions, and risks to public safety. The metal-coated thread used in flying kites can cause electric lines to trip, it said in a statement.
The discom has urged people not to use glass-coated manjha or “Chinese manjha”, which is very sharp and can cause serious injuries to two-wheeler riders, and birds that may get injured while flying.
The discom has displayed banners on all its installations and few public places for safe kite flying advisory, to educate people about importance of safety during kite flying activities.
Awareness activities are also undertaken for safe kite flying. It has partnered with FM radio channels, for running dedicated social media series, and has released video advisory on electrical safety, it said.
The safety guidelines issued by the discom ask people to avoid overhead wires and enjoy kite flying in open areas, refrain from using metal-coated manja, do not retrieve kites entangled in electrical lines, counsel children for safe kite flying.
