Dangling wires pose risk to residents

Sukhmeet Bhasin

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, July 19

With the onset of monsoon, the uncovered electric wires hanging from poles in streets and roads, particularly in congested localities, have become dangerous.

However, hardly any effort has been made by the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to fix the low-lying wires.

City residents are worried and accuse the officials of the PSPCL of putting their lives at risk by not aligning the electricity transmission lines on the electric poles.

Residents have lodged complaints in this regard but in vain.

A visit to various localities revealed that lids of the junction boxes of a majority of streetlights were missing.

It is learnt that they have never been repaired since their installation. At many places, the lids were found open.

At many places, joints in wires are lying uncovered. Residents feel that these are an open invitation to untoward incidents.

Residents of Ganesha Basti said a few days ago, a school bus got stuck in a street in their area due to these low lying electric wires.

Another resident Atul Garg said at most places, transformers are uncovered and so are their wires. Many times, sparks occur, which can be dangerous for passersby, he added

Senior Powercom officials put the blame on the Municipal Corporation Bathinda stating that the MCB looks after the streetlights and hence responsible for this.

Incidents involving deaths of people and cattle have occurred in the past due to electrocution in the city.