High-tension lines haunt residents

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 4

Learning no lessons from numerous electrocutions, the authorities concerned continue to ignore electricity wires passing near houses and posing threat to many lives in various parts of the city.

Despite making multiple complaints to ensure safety no action has been taken to shift high-tension wires, which frighten residents.

Four men had died due to electrocution when they came in contact with power supply wires passing near a ‘vehra’ at Ishwar Colony, near Dhandari, last month. Following the incident, dwellers residing in the vehra started living at other place. However, many others still live under fear due to electricity wires passing near their houses.

Earlier, incidents of electrocution due to high-tension electricity wires were reported from Tajpur Road, Haibowal and other areas in the city, but no steps were taken to stop recurrence of such mishaps.

Complaints about wires passing near houses have poured in from different areas, including Dhandari, Jamalpur, Focal Point, Haibowal, Tajpur Road, Jeevan Nagar and Guru Bagh Colony.

Meanwhile, officials claim that no construction can take place under the high tension wires. “Many people have spent their life-time savings to purchase land under high-tension wires and construct their houses, but no authority stopped them from doing so. Officials concerned should shift high-tension wires from such residential areas at the earliest. Moreover, power supply lines should not pass near houses,” said Jagjeet Singh of Chandigarh Road.

The PSPCL chief engineer, Paramjit Singh, said, “We will conduct a survey of the areas and if it’s found that wires pose a danger to the people living in the vicinity then requisite steps will be taken. The issue of electricity wires has been discussed in the last meeting under the smart city mission. There is a plan for installation of insulated wires in the congested areas. We will take further action if the project gets approval.”