BSES issues advisory ahead of August 15; asks to avoid Chinese manjha for kite flying

The Bombay Suburban Electric Supply (BSES) on Wednesday, July 2 issued an advisory asking people to avoid using metal or metal coated (Chinese) manjha for the kites, to ensure safe celebrations on Independence day on August 15. 

“People should enjoy kite flying, but they should do it responsibly. We advise residents not to fly kites near electrical installations, including overhead cables. Residents must avoid using metal or metal coated (Chinese) manjha. These two simple mantras will ensure safe I-Day celebrations,” said BSES’s official statement. 

Advisory details 

The BSES’s caution further stated that careless kite flying endangers not only electrical equipment but also people's lives. "Moreover, if the entangled manjha happens to be metal coated, it can even lead to electrocution of the 'kite-flyer.” 

"In the run-up to the Independence Day, though we put our Operations and Maintenance teams on high alert to take care of any kite-flying related contingency, elders and parents are also requested to inform and counsel children not to enter prohibited/ barricaded electrical installations to retrieve kites because life is more precious than a kite. Any carelessness can lead to a major power failure, and even electrocutions," read the advisory. 

BSES launches multi-pronged campaign 

To raise consumer awareness of the dangers of flying kites near power lines, particularly when using metal-coated manjha, BSES has started a multi-pronged campaign via multiple channels, including social media posts, RWA interactions, and the BSES newsletter.

Operations and Maintenance on high alert 

According to BSES, the Delhi Police Act and the Electricity Act both have penalties for sabotaging the power supply and harming electrical machinery. 

Tripping of just one 33/66 KV overhead line can disrupt power supply to over 10,000 residents of an area and tripping of a single 11 KV line to over 2500 residents, according to estimates. 

"Each year, there are several instances of kite-flying related trippings. We have put our Operations and Maintenance on high alert to take care of any kite-flying related contingencies keeping this in mind this Independence Day," said the advisory. 

BSES shares toll-free numbers in case of emergency 

Moreover, BSES has also shared toll-free numbers for consumers to contact in case of any emergency BRPL (Call Centre: 19123, WhatsApp: Simply type 'Hi' & send it to 8800919123, App: BRPL Power App) and BYPL (Call Centre: 19122, WhatsApp: Simply type "Hi & send it to 8745999808, App: BYPL Connect)