High tension in schools
Agra: Every day, students at more than 40 govt primary and upper primary schools in Uttar Pradesh ’s Mainpuri district attend classes, unaware of the fact that there is danger lurking overhead. The lines need to be shifted or adequately guarded on priority to prevent any untoward incident,” said Rahul Kumar Singh, whose child studies in Class 5. The issue of overhead power infrastructure on school campuses has remained a major safety concern across Uttar Pradesh since a tragic incident in Balrampur district in July 2019, when a live high-tension line snapped and fell on a primary school classroom, leaving 55 children with severe burn injuries. The electricity department has removed hazardous wires from 5,119 school campuses since the beginning of the current financial year. However, state education records show that 3,890 govt primary and upper primary schools still have overhead high-tension lines passing through their premises, with several campuses also housing live electrical poles and transformers.
Another parent, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Sending children to school has become a matter of concern. High-tension power lines above and transformers located close to school buildings and playgrounds pose a serious safety risk. “The high-tension lines passing over or close to school premises pose a serious safety risk, particularly during the monsoon when strong local storms and high winds can damage or snap overhead wires. There is always the risk of a high-tension line snapping and falling onto these schools. During the rainy season, the risk increases manifold as wet grounds become good conductors of electricity. Any leakage from a faulty transformer can prove fatal. The Mainpuri initiative is part of a wider effort to improve safety at govt schools across UP.