High-voltage hazard: Live power poles turn road into a death trap

A dangerously unusual situation has developed on the Puruwala–Badripur road in Paonta Sahib of Sirmaur district, where high-voltage electricity poles and transformers are standing directly in the middle of the road, acting as makeshift lane dividers and putting hundreds of commuters at daily risk.

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Stretching over 8 km, this newly widened and tarred road has become the subject of public outrage after a viral video exposed the presence of live 11kV and 33kV lines, more than two dozen electricity poles, and a few transformers running through the centre of the carriageway. With no proper dividers in place, these electrical installations have become accident-prone obstacles on a busy route, lacking any caution or warning signboards.

Over the past two months, multiple vehicles have collided with the poles, resulting in several injuries. While there have been no fatalities due to electrocution yet, officials admit that the presence of live current means a broken pole or snapped wire could lead to deadly consequences at any moment.

The bizarre and dangerous layout is the result of poor coordination between the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB). According to PWD officials, the road widening was carried out last year, and the blacktopping was completed a few months ago. However, the electricity poles — which were previously located safely along the roadside — were left unmoved, and now stand squarely in the middle of the active roadway.

The PWD claims it has written to the electricity board multiple times over the past two years, requesting that the poles be relocated. Initially, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board presented an estimate of Rs 40 lakh for the required shifting and infrastructure work. However, following negotiations with the electricity board, the revised estimate has now been reduced to Rs 18.5 lakh in public interest.

PWD officials have confirmed that this revised amount is likely to be deposited in the government treasury by Tuesday, after which the relocation work is expected to commence.

Yogesh Verma, Assistant Engineer, PWD Paonta Sahib subdivision, said now revised estimate of Rs 18.5 lakh has been issued after mutual consultation with the HPSEB, and the full amount will be deposited soon.

As the monsoon season intensifies and vehicular movement continues to rise on this route, public concern is growing. Locals warn that a serious tragedy could occur at any time if both the departments involved fail to act swiftly.

• Stretching over 8 km, this newly widened and tarred road has become the subject of public outrage after a viral video exposed the presence of live 11kV and 33kV lines

• The bizarre and dangerous layout is the result of poor coordination between the Public Works Department and the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board

• Residents and daily commuters are now demanding urgent intervention from higher authorities to resolve the bureaucratic standoff

  Lanes of lethal current