Speeding truck uproots pole on Karabara Road, power supply hit

A speeding commercial truck uprooted an electricity pole on Karabara Road here late on Wednesday night. As the road was deserted during the incident, a major tragedy was averted. However, with the falling of the main electricity pole, 10 more poles in the area got affected and power was snapped in the entire area, including Karabara Road and Salem Tabri. The PSPCL stated that around 3,000 consumers were affected in the absence of power supply.

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Panic gripped the area in the wee hours of Thursday when residents saw the huge pole lying on the road, near houses. Beerpal Singh, a resident, said it was shocking to see the congested road covered with entangled electricity wires and the uprooted pole.

“Had there been commuters on the road during the incident, it could be a fatal mishap,” he said.

Meanwhile, around 20 persons, including linemen, JEs and senior officials of the PSPCL, reached the scene to take stock of the situation. Executive Engineer Gurmanpreet Singh said the department had to bear losses to the tune of over Rs 3 lakh due to the incident.

“Around 3,000 consumers in the area were affected and we are trying to rectify the issue as around 20 persons are doing the needful to restore the power supply. But it will not be restored before late this evening,” the official said.

Residents were having a tough time in the absence of power. “We have complained to the authorities but they cannot help much as they are on the job. Law enforcing agencies should not allow passing of heavy vehicles from such congested roads,” said an area resident.

At the same time, PSPCL officials are trying to trace the speeding truck. An FIR would be lodged against the driver of the truck in the case.