Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Jun 27: Lightning during the beginning of monsoons especially in the rural areas, cause destruction of properties and losses of human lives. The district administration in a meeting presided by Deputy Commissioner (DC) A B Ibrahim in 2014 had informed about precautions to be taken during lightning. It was decided then to install lightning arresters in areas which are increasingly prone to lightning.

The proposals after identifying such places were obtained from Taluk tahasildars. It was decided to install 11 arresters in five taluks of the DK district. Kalanja Varanasi Building Solution Company was asked to submit quotations. This company provided technical report with the estimated cost.

Lightning arresters with copper cables costing Rs 22.98 lacs each can stop lightning damage up to an area of 20 kilometres. The proposal for Rs 25 lacs including other expenses was submitted to the revenue department with a request to release the funds.

Deputy Commissioner A B Ibrahim has said that the proposal has been sent to the government and an approval is awaited. It is intended to install two small lightning arresters in Puttur on an experimental basis, he said.

Even after two years of taking a decision, people are still waiting to see the lightning arresters installed. They are surprised to hear that government needs so much of time to approve a necessary proposal and to sanction such a small amount.