ISLAMABAD: As many as 163 fatalities reported in all power distribution companies (DISCOs) including employees and other citizens during the last fiscal year 2022-23.
According to the official data, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) had the highest share followed by K-Electric and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO).
The power regulator also took serious note of safety issues in DISCOs and expressed deep concern about the significant rise in fatalities over the past three years.
The Authority conducted comprehensive investigations against all DISCOs under Section 27-A of the NEPRA Act. Based on the investigation reports, all DISCOs were fined, and they were directed to provide compensation to the bereaved families of public individuals’ equivalent to the amount given to their employees, besides providing a job to the next of kin.
During investigations, it was revealed that some accidents occurred due to a lack of earthing/grounding of poles/structures in the distribution system of DISCOs.
Th
e Authority expressed its dissatisfaction in this regard and directed all DISCOs to submit details of poles/structures requiring grounding, along with a concrete plan to accomplish this.
It’s worth mentioning that in the past, the Authority undertook a similar exercise with KE, resulting in over 200,000 poles having been earthed on Authority’s intervention.
Positive impact of this exercise is manifest in zero casualty due to earthing issues, despite heavy rains in the city of Karachi and surrounding areas.