The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has issued a directive to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) requiring it to finalise and begin implementing safety measures against accidents caused by low-lying electrical and communication cables in Ernakulam district within six weeks.
The order comes after the Commission took up the issue suo motu, following repeated reports of motorcyclists and two-wheeler riders getting injured after entanglement with loose and low-hanging cables across busy junctions such as Kalamassery and other parts of Kochi. In one documented case from August 20, 2024, a rider was hurt when a dangling cable struck him on the city’s road, prompting the Commission’s scrutiny.
SHRC Chairman Justice Alexander Thomas and the five-member panel initiated a comprehensive review of existing cable safety measures, commissioning a detailed report from a special committee led by the director of KSEB’s security department. This panel submitted nine recommendations to improve safety, including re-routing cables, lowering their exposure to public roadways, and coordinating with district local bodies to remove hazards.
The Commission’s order underscored the need for active coordination between KSEB and local self-government authorities before finalising any approach. Stating that delays in implementation have already cost riders injuries and near-miss incidents, the SHRC emphasised that residents’ right to move safely on public roads is a matter of human rights and public welfare.
Residents’ associations and road safety advocates in Kochi have repeatedly raised concerns about the proliferation of unsafe overhead cables belonging to utilities, telecom providers, and private services. Previous complaints argue that such cables, when not properly secured or buried, pose significant risk especially in high-traffic junctions, narrow roads, and areas frequented by school children and delivery riders.
Community groups have also stressed that dense vegetation and seasonal winds exacerbate the sagging of lines, while unclear jurisdiction between agencies like KSEB, BSNL, and local corporations often leaves the problem unaddressed. The SHRC order aims to cut through these bureaucratic ambiguities by setting a clear timeline and requiring actionable steps.
District police and civic engineers will convene at a follow-up hearing in Ernakulam scheduled for March, where progress reports on the safety measures will be reviewed. Officials at KSEB have confirmed receipt of the SHRC directive and say they will collaborate with municipal authorities to implement solutions, including possible underground cabling or physical supports to keep lines safely elevated.
If successful, the project could become a model for other urban districts across Kerala grappling with similar infrastructure safety challenges.
News as reported
