Chandigarh, April 4:
Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) has established a dedicated control room to prevent fire incidents in wheat crops during the ongoing harvest season.
Providing further details, Power Minister S. Harbhajan Singh ETO informed that the control room has been set up to address emergencies related to loose or low-hanging electric wires and GO switches that can cause sparking and potentially ignite wheat fields. He urged farmers to immediately report such issues to the nearest sub-divisional office, complaint center or the control room at 96461-06835, 96461-06836 or toll-free number 1912 for timely rectification of these electrical hazards. The Cabinet Minister added that pictures of loose or low-hanging wires or sparking incidents, along with location details, can be sent via WhatsApp to 96461-06836.
Underlining special precautions for farmers, the Cabinet Minister advised that harvested wheat should not be kept under power lines or near transformers and GO switches. He urged cutting of wheat one marla around transformers in advance and keeping a 10-meter area around field transformers wet to prevent potential fires from sparks. He also cautioned against smoking cigarettes or beedis near wheat fields.
The Cabinet Minister further warned against tampering with electric lines using bamboo poles or sticks, stressing that unauthorized persons should not be allowed to operate GO switches. He also said that wheat stubble or residue should not be burnt to prevent pollution.
S. Harbhajan Singh ETO appealed to farmers to operate harvester combines only during daylight hours and to be vigilant about sparks from combine parts. He cautioned against combines colliding with electric poles, wires or pole stays. The Cabinet Minister specifically said that there is need to monitor mischievous elements to protect wheat crops from fire incidents.
He also urged the public to immediately report any electrical line sparking to the concerned PSPCL staff, Junior Engineer, Sub-Divisional Officer or the control room.
