OREANDA-NEWS. October 5, 2012. Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power player, has undertaken several initiatives to promote and ensure safety not just at the workplace but also in its neighbouring communities. During this year’s Ganesh utsav (festival), Tata Power’s Salsette line crew conducted a special safety awareness drive at various locations under their Jan Jagruti Abhiyan initiative. The drive spread awareness about the dangers that are involved in having pandals (marquees) close to extra high voltage (EHV) lines and the precautions that need to be undertaken to avoid accidents.

With the onset of Ganesh utsav, several pandals are erected around the city of Mumbai and the risk of electrical accidents increase. Keeping this in mind, Tata Power began a special safety awareness drive by conducting special sessions with volunteers of all mandals (groups) that have their pandals close or under EHV lines as well as tall Ganesh idols which have to cross the EHV lines during the immersion procession.

Apart from these sessions, huge awareness banners were also set up at various prominent locations such as the pandals and the water bodies where immersions have been taking place.

Speaking on the initiative, Vijay Chourey, head, transmission, Mumbai operations, Tata Power, said, “The objective is to spread this message amongst as many citizens as possible to reduce the electrical accidents that can be caused during the Ganesh utsav celebrations. Such festivities should be joyous and memorable for all who celebrate them, which is why avoiding such incidents is crucial. Tata Power wishes everyone a very safe, prosperous and enjoyable Ganesh utsav.”

A few locations where the awareness campaigns were held include:

A Pestom Sagar Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal (Chembur).

Shree Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal (Vikhroli East).

Ujjwal Seva Sangh (Bhandup).

Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal (Bhandup).

Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan is aimed at increasing awareness among citizens of the hazards of carrying out dangerous activities under / in the vicinity of high tension (HT) lines. These sessions include various initiatives such as presentations and short films on the hazards of dangerous construction of structures, flying kites, TV cable stringing, drying clothes, etc, under / in the vicinity of HT lines and also the do’s and don’ts.