WCA MAY 2015

India

Insight

Elephants’ cable conservation

abandoned: “Insulated cables will be a better alternative than laying underground cables,” sources added. Besides the recent proposal, Cesc has also taken up works in 16 taluks of the so-called Elephant Corridor, where 1,313km of high and low tension lines were surveyed and 6,280 intermediate poles installed to prevent the lines from sagging. Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation – India

SAGGING power lines and illegally electrified fences are among the major causes of deaths among the large elephant population in Karnataka. In a move to prevent the deaths, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (Cesc) has sought funds from the state government to install insulated electric cables in regions where the density of elephants is relatively high. Since 2009 a total of 66 elephants have died of electrocution in the state, with eight deaths in 2014/15 alone. Speaking to the Deccan Herald , Cesc’s director (technical) Bhagya Naik, said that installing insulated cables would support animal conservation programmes in the region. “While conventional cables are live, and touching them would result in electrocution, accidental contact with insulated cables will not be lethal to the elephants,” he said. “We have requested the state government to sanction the funds for the project in the coming budget.” Sources reveal the insulated cables will be installed near villages on the fringes of forests in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu and Hassan districts, where the movement of elephants has been well documented. Cesc’s original plan to install underground cables in regions where elephants are at risk of electrocution has been

Website : www.cescmysore.org Steel peaks

Tata Steel sales were up by three per cent in the December quarter, against the same period last year. The company achieved the highest-ever pellet production of 1.03 million tonnes in the quarter. Output also peaked for wire rods and flat products, with the company’s highest ever quarter sales to the automotive segment of 0.34 million tonnes (the previous best being 0.28 million tonnes). Tata Steel had anticipated that profits would be under pressure during the December quarter, due to an acute shortage of iron ore and consequent lower production. Tata Steel – India Website : www.tatasteel.com

40

www.read-wca.com

Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2015