Naked wires hang like Damocles’ sword, pose constant threat

Gurvinder Singh

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Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 30

Fiftysix-year-old Mangat Ram cannot forget the terrible fire incident that gutted several shops in Field Ganj last year. The faulty wiring had caused the sparks, which led to the massive fire. Loose and naked wires all around are a continuous threat to his shop even now. Sparking wires and minor fires are a reality that residents continue to live with, especially during the rainy season.

The power corporation as well as the Municipal Corporation are in deep slumber it seems as there are hundreds of points of tangled wires in several parts of the city. There’s a disaster waiting to happen, especially in the old city.

Residents with no other choice, continue to put their lives in jeopardy as naked wires, dangling like the sword of Damocles, threaten to kill anybody anytime.

The number of wires tangled and loosely held together are so ubiquitous and jarring that one can only wonder what the authorities, including the MC and power corporation, were doing. It is ironic that despite several incidents no solution has been worked out to stop such incidents from occurring.

The inability of the officials right in the planning and execution plumbs deeper depths that even the complaints of the residents are not addressed. Workers sometimes only turn up after several days or never do so to the extent that a large number of residents have now stopped making these efforts, which they say were futile.

But like many residents, they don’t know whom to approach, while others have tried approaching and know that their requests and pleas were only going to fall on deaf ears. As a result, the number of reports and complaints are only a fraction of the hundreds of such incidents that occur every day.

“What is even astounding is that the Municipal Corporation seems to be in deep slumber. The authorities, it seems, will wake up only after a major tragedy occurs or people lose their lives and property. Sometimes I wonder what kind of city we live in with such irresponsible civic body,” said Harminder Singh, a resident of Kidwai Nagar.

“Attempts are being made to make the city smart, but let’s make it livable first and not a hell that it is for several residents in some areas. Thanks to the blindfolded district authorities,” said Swaresh Gupta, a resident of Salem Tabri.

Residentspeak: Want a permanent solution to the danger that looms large

There have been incidents of sparks during monsoon season. It’s an everyday threat that looms large. 

The unpleasant sound of sparks is a common sight. We have made complaints, but no one seems to care. — Hargovind Singh, works at Akalgarh market  

I myself have seen several incidents of sparks and fires. There seems to be no check on these. Authorities cannot be so blind that they cannot see the gravity of the situation and not respond and address the issue. — Bal Krishan, works at Hazuri Road market

There were sparks in the tangled wires that led to fire just outside our showroom at night. The market thankfully was still open and people around somehow managed to douse the flames by throwing sand. But had the incident occurred after the markets were closed, it could have been fatal. It is sad and unfortunate that despite repeated calls, the power corporation people turned up only after four days. — Pirthipal Singh, a shop owner at Niggar Mandi, Chaura Bazaar

Nobody cares. We unfortunately cannot escape as we have to come here and work. The indifference of the authorities in this ‘smart city’ is apparent. Just look around and you’ll find a net of wires all around. — Preetam Lal, works at Talaab Mandir Road market

Sparks during rainy season is a common sight and faulty wiring is to be blamed. The authorities should be careful and fix this problem, as it can be fatal. Fire incidents often turn tragic in such areas, as help from authorities often becomes restricted. These areas are in the interiors and the lanes are narrow. — Shubham, a resident of Shivpuri

There is a transformer in our area, which often sparks and there have been incidents of fire as well. It is a matter of just one transformer. One can imagine how serious the issue is.To top it all, the transformer has not even been kept at the right height. Any mistake or fault and residents inadvertently can get electrocuted. But there has not been any solution despite several complaints. — Baldev Krishan, a shop owner at Namak Mandi 

There is always a threat of electrocution in the area, thanks to the naked wires dangling all over and faulty wiring and water-logging in several areas. How can the authorities take such issues concerning residents’ lives so lightly? — Krishna, shop owner in Namak Mandi

Fire incidents during monsoon season are common in the old city area. There are umpteen loose wires that hang dangerously all around. A threat looms large as Akalgarh market is a cloth market. These wires can fall on anyone and prove fatal. — Harjit Singh, works at Akalgarh market