OREANDA-NEWS. More than 1,980 construction workers and heavy machinery operators covered under the programme in the past seven months

Mumbai: 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 areas of operation. In yet another initiative, Tata Power has undertaken an elaborate drive to spread awareness among construction workers and heavy machinery operators working at construction sites around high-tension transmission lines.

Around 55 awareness drives have been conducted since April 2013, in which more than 1,980 workers were covered. Tata Power's linemen patrol the area around the transmission lines on a regular basis. During the patrols the teams often come across various construction sites which are very close to the high-tension transmission lines. To ensure that no mishap or accident occurs at these sites, the concerned line engineer has been conducting awareness sessions with the site workers.

Speaking on the initiative, Vijay Chourey, head, transmission, Mumbai operations, Tata Power, said, “The objective of this initiative is to spread the message of safety among as many workers as possible, and to reduce electrical accidents that can be caused while working in areas which are close to high-voltage transmission lines. We at Tata Power are not only concerned about our employee's safety, but also understand that a lot of people work close to transmission lines and are prone to such accidents. We hope that our simple efforts will get across our message of safety to the workers and prevent any incidents.”

Tata Power's transmission lines have been laid in Mumbai for the last 100 years. Over the years, there have been many geographical changes in the area due to various reasons. Many construction structures have come under the vicinity of the high-tension transmission lines in the city. There have been a number of instances in which people have come within dangerous distances of high-voltage lines, causing accidents. These accidents result in fatalities as well as major loss of electrical appliances in adjacent dwellings. As a company which cares for its community, many public awareness drives with different focus groups are taken up by Tata Power's transmission lines division through their line engineers and line staff stationed at different line camps.

Apart from this initiative, Tata Power also has an ongoing programme called 'Jan Jagruti Abhiyaan' focused on electrical safety in transmission. This programme is aimed at increasing awareness among citizens living around areas which are close to high-voltage transmission lines. The programme spreads the message of safety through street plays, presentations, sessions and short films.