High-tension lines pose threat to Dera Bassi residents

Satinder Pal Singh

Dera Bassi, February 27

Residents of some localities of Dera Bassi have been living under a constant threat of electrocution for the past several years as high-tension electric wires pass over the rooftops of their houses.

Power lines, mostly high-tension wires, pass dangerously near houses in Gulabgarh Road, Bhagat Singh Nagar and Gali No. 3 on Barwala road endangering the lives of residents.

This is mainly due to the negligence of the Municipal Council for granting permission to buildings without checking. High-tension wires can also be seen passing through Preet Nagar, ATS Colony, Gali No. 10, etc.

Sources said according to the rules, habitation centres could not come up beneath wires. Colonies came up in violation of the rules and people had raised the level of their houses in the vicinity of overhead high-tension wires.

Residents living in such localities have been demanding that the Power Department takes prompt initiatives to have such live high-tension wires removed.

“These wires can lead to any untoward incident. Whenever wind blows, wires touch each other. Due to friction, sparks are produced,” said Surinder Saini, a resident of Gulabgarh.

Mohinder Pal, SDO, PSPCL, Dera Bassi, said there should be a minimum distance of 14ft between the rooftop and high-tension wires. When asked about the high-tension wires passing through Bhagat Singh Nagar and Gali No. 3, he said these wires of Dhulkot-Chandigarh lines were very old when the land was being used for agriculture purposes. There was no residence or colony at that time. “One cannot blame the electricity department for this mess as it had installed high-tension wires way back. It was only after owners or property dealers sold the land as layouts that colonies mushroomed close to the overhead danger,” he said.

Rajesh Sharma, executive officer of the Municipal Council, Dera Bassi, said: “I have joined the office recently. If any such case (construction of house with overhead high-tension wires) comes for NOC, I will reject it. Anyone found involved in corrupt practices will be dealt with strictly”.