Ranchi, July 18: With spurt in the lightning death toll over the past six months, Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA) today decreed that all city highrises should install lightning conductors atop their buildings within the next 15 days.

The RRDA instructions come even as at least 40 lightning deaths have been reported from across the state. The most gruesome incident took place at Rampur in Namkum block, Ranchi on June 13 when five students of Green Garden Middle and High School were burnt to death by a lightning strike.

RRDA vice chairman Maheshwar Prasad Mishra today issued instructions that all highrises including state and central government offices, schools, colleges, railway stations and all other public places would need to install lightning conductors atop their premises within the next 15 days.

“We have begun with an appeal to the citizens to install lightning conductors atop their buildings for their own safety. Failure to adhere to our appeal would be construed as a violation in public interest. No provision has been made for any fines so far. However we would shortly amend RRDA building bylaws to include the fine provision including legal action,” Mishra told The Telegraph.

These lightning conductors are priced around Rs 20,000 per piece. “We do not think that it would be a financial burden for all existing highrises, schools and other installations,” added Mishra. “We do not want to be very strict from now. All concerned should adhere to our appeal in their own interest,” Mishra stressed.

Mishra conceded that state-run schools have already begun to install these conductors following the June 13 Rampur school disaster. All building plans submitted to RRDA should include such a provision without which the plans would be rejected outright. Violation, in this regard, by highrises would be deemed as violation of building plans punishable with fines or even demolition of the building, he warned.