Safety measures at Hydel stations to be upgraded

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Better late than never. Unified command and control systems, state-of-the-art firefighting equipment and ambulances are among precautionary mechanisms planned at major hydro-electric power stations with the June 20 explosion at the Moolamattam power house raising questions about safe working conditions at KSEB installations.The Assembly was given a brief outline on Thursday about measures planned at major KSEB power stations ahead of a three-member investigation committee submitting its report.  The mishap at Moolamattam had claimed the lives of two engineers after a fire broke out at one of the panels of a generator which was followed by an explosion. The obsoleteness of existing firefighting equipment and absence of safety audits had come to the notice of the three-member committee during its ongoing investigation.Now, the KSEB is planning to modernise fire detection systems at all its stations and install devices where they are lacking, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said. Also, manually-operated firefighting systems are to be replaced with automatic fire-fighting systems. Periodical safety audits and fire-retardant cables to prevent the spreading of fire through cables are under consideration. To equip staff to fight fires, the KSEB is introducing periodical fire and safety training in association with the Fire and Rescue Services. The first training class was held at the Moolamattam Power House on July 8. A Unified Command and Control System will be put in place for co-ordinating the operations of the in-take gate, penstock pipes, water conducting systems and the power house proper. There will also be a mechanism likewise to monitor various equipment and panel boards from the control room. The June 20 accident at the power station of the 780-MW Idukki hydel project had raised questions about old equipment and absence of experienced personnel at hydel power stations.On Thursday, the minister told the Assembly that the KSEB planned to have skilled maintenance staff. The KSEB also plans to introduce a dress code for staff manning power stations. The main power stations will also sport ambulances, the minister said.