PANAJI
Finally, the Goa Electricity Department (GED) will buy 100 smart helmets and a like number of smartwatches for its linemen to ensure their safety while working on power lines and transformers.
"These safety gadgets have been developed by the Goa Engineering College (GEC) and will enhance the safety linemen while on duty," Power Minister Ramkrishna (Sudin) Dhavalikar said on Wednesday.
The GEC-designed smart watches and helmets will detect electricity leakages and other hazards and will alert the user of any danger or hazard during field work.
The Goa Electricity Department has been under fire in recent months after multiple deaths of linemen while working on repairs and maintenance of power lines and transformers.
A lineman, Chandru Gaonkar, had died of electrocution while working on a transformer at Postwada, Honda in Sattari during 'routine maintenance' on May 20. A second lineman had suffered serious injuries in the incident.
Nearly a year earlier, another linesman, Manoj Zambaulikar had died of electrocution in Bicholim while working on a transmission line, despite a shutdown having been arranged. Zambaulikar's electrocution was explained as caused by 'back field' power which reverse-transmitted from an inverter of a nearby establishment 'Fitness Factory'.
Also, since 2018, dozens of staffers, mostly linesmen and line-helpers, have suffered injuries and ten died in such mishaps.
Meanwhile Dhavalikar said that the inquiry report into the incident which claimed the life of Chandru Gaonkar at Honda is complete and being examined by Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes.
"In the next two-three days it will be forwarded to my office," Dhavalikar said.
