Fire deaths

This refers to the news report, ‘11 wedding party members burnt to death as bus catches fire’ (May 4). According to media reports, the fire broke out after 11kv high tension wires touched metallic boxes on the bus’ rooftop. The wires were as close as 17 feet from the ground level instead of the specified 25 feet. The Sukkur Electric Supply Company and the NTDC should be held responsible for the tragedy because they failed to ensure that the specified distance requirement was maintained.
Similar loopholes had been mentioned in the past but to no avail. The permissible sag or dip of a transmission line must not exceed 7.16 feet between a span of 500 feet. This aspect should be implemented for any future reference and the same can also be applied in the rest of areas of the NTDC and other Discos.
Engr R Riaz Akbar
Wah Cantt