Hescom to stop kite-flying near power poles

HUBLI: Power disruption in the city due to kite-flying will be a thing of the past. Hescom has decided to educate parents to restrain their children from flying kites near electric poles and power lines.
The decision followed complaints from the public that they were facing power interruption due to kite strings getting entangled in the transmission lines.Hescom will now educate parents and children on the need to avoid flying kites near electric poles and below power lines.
September and October is the season for kite flying in South India after end of kharif season, just before winter begins. Hescome decided to create awareness fearing more disruptions due to flying kites.
Welcoming the move, Nagaraj Shetty, resident of Old Hubli, said: "In the absence of open spaces, children fly kites from their house terraces or on the streets. There were instances of children getting injured after kite string came in contact with live wires. The strings often get entangled in electric wires which may also lead to short circuit and power cut for long hours. So, the move of Hescom is good and it will make parents alert while their wards fly kites."
VV Patil, executive engineer, Hescom, said: "Kite strings get tangled in power transmission lines, disrupting supply. During the last season, there were disruptions in many areas due to kite-flying. We visited those areas and rectified the trouble. We don't want to take any chance this season and will educate parents along with their children to fly kites carefully. We will hold a meeting of parents and also visit congested areas where we have more number of electric poles. We will educate people on the need to avoid flying kites near poles. Our officials will soon visit each area and take up this awareness programme."
The official added that Hescom may penalize people if they go against the warning and fail to follow the instructions.