(L to R:) Mr. Vivek Goel, Chief Engineer, CEA; Mr. Upendra Kumar, Chief Electrical Inspectorate, CEA; Mr. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson, CEA; Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power-DDL; Mr. Ashok Kumar Rajput, Member (Power System), CEA; Mr. Sreekumar Nhalur, Member of Energy Group, Prayas.
• A first-of-its-kind initiative in the Indian Power sector by Tata Power-DDL, under the aegis of the Central Electricity Authority, honored over 100 linemen from more than 20 discoms across the country on 4th March 2023 in the National Capital
To recognise the contribution and institutionalise the practice of celebrating a day as ‘Lineman Diwas’ by all State and Private discoms, the Central Electricity Authority of India (CEA), together with Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, commemorated the Third Edition of Lineman Diwas on March 4th, 2023 in New Delhi. The initiative aims to recognise the tireless efforts of the most critical pillar of power distribution - the linemen and ground maintenance staff.
In 2021, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited conceptualized and initiated the celebration of Lineman Diwas to applaud and recognize the hard work of all ground staff members. With the CEA actively supporting and encouraging this initiative, the Third Edition of Lineman Diwas this year has been joined by discoms from various states, including Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh.
Over 100 linemen from 20 State and Private discoms visited the capital to participate in the celebration. Across the country, more than 100 discoms celebrated Lineman Diwas at their respective locations, with over 50,000 linemen being felicitated to mark the celebrations.
The theme for the event was ‘Seva, Suraksha, Swabhiman’, which surfaces and highlights a lineman’s meticulous actions on emergency calls for repair and maintenance of the power lines. Their painstaking work involves risks like repairing disconnected wires, managing electrical failures and handling live wires. It is with this relentless dedication that frontline workers of the power sector ensure an uninterrupted power supply to all consumers.
Regarding the celebration, Mr. Ghanshyam Prasad, Chairperson and Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India, Central Electricity Authority, Ministry of Power, said, “Linemen are the lifeline of a country’s power sector. A lot of dedication and hard work goes into ensuring reliable, uninterrupted power supply to our consumers. The celebration of ‘Lineman Diwas’ is our way of expressing how we value their selfless service. Along with appreciating the hard work of our linemen and ground staff, we are equally conscious and vigilant about their safety at work. We hope this special day for our linemen will strengthen our connection with them and motivate them to continue putting their best foot forward.”
Commenting on the initiative, Mr. Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, said, “We are the proud torchbearers of this initiative, and are happy that discoms across the country are joining hands in acknowledging the selfless commitment and service of our frontline workers. With the Lineman Diwas celebrations, the intent is to gain national recognition for the sacrificing nature of challenging services they perform round-the-clock to keep power flowing and ensure public safety.”
The event was also attended by the Senior Members of the CEA, Mr. Ashok Kumar Rajput, Member of Power System; Mr. Vivek Goel, Chief Engineer; and Mr. Upendra Kumar, Chief Electrical Inspectors, along with Mr. Sreekumar Nhalur, Member of Energy Group, Prayas.
Names of the discoms: TP Western Odisha Limited (TPWODL), TP Central Odisha Distribution Limited, Nidar Utilities Panvel LLP, Electricity wing of Engineering Department (UT-Chandigarh), TSSPDCL, Hyderabad, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited, Tata Steel UISL, Seraikela -Kharasawan, Tata Steel, Jamshedpur, Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL), Purvanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (PVVNL), South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, North Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited, EESL – Rajasthan, NOIDA POWER COMPANY LTD, BYPL, BRPL, MES, NDMC, MESCOM.
About Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited:
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited is a joint venture between Tata Power and the Government of NCT of Delhi. Tata Power-DDL distributes electricity in North Delhi and serves a populace of 7 million. Tata Power-DDL has been a frontrunner in implementing power distribution reforms and is acknowledged for its consumer-friendly practices. Since privatization, the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses in Tata Power-DDL areas have shown a record decline. Today, AT&C losses stand at 7% which is an unprecedented reduction of over 86% from an opening loss level of 53% in July 2002.
To learn more about Tata Power-DDL, please visit: www.tatapower-ddl.com