‘Pranadha’, a low-cost, life-saving device that prevents accidents caused by snapped electric lines, has been awarded a patent and the Kerala Social Security Award instituted by the National Safety Council under the Ministry of Labour, Government of India. The device was developed by Dr M Krishnakumar of Vetuveni Varikkassery Mana, Haripad.

In Kerala, most accidents involving snapped electric lines are caused by low-tension (LT) lines. While high-tension (HT) lines are automatically disconnected at substations when they break, no such system currently exists for LT lines. ‘Pranadha’ bridges this gap by acting as an early warning system. “It alerts the public when a low-tension line snaps,” said Dr Krishnakumar, Assistant Executive Engineer at the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). Designed specifically for India’s distribution network, the device is low-cost, easy to install, and suitable for large-scale deployment.

It emits a loud alarm audible within a 20-metre radius and flashes a light visible from even farther. The alert continues until it is manually reset by an authorised official. Dr Krishnakumar developed the device over one and a half years, with support from his son and student, Vishnu Madhav. The patent is jointly registered in their names. If mass-produced, ‘Pranadha’ could cost as little as ₹200.