High-tension wires removed, poles remain etched

Residents of New Dashmesh Nagar and other localities in Jaura Phatak area managed to make Power Corporation remove the high-tension electricity wires running over their houses nearly six months ago, but they are now pleading for the removal of the poles which are still standing there.

The residents say that it seems that Power Corporation has forgotten to remove the electricity poles. “These electricity poles are causing trouble to residents as some of these are inside house premises and others are in the middle of streets,” said Harish Dhawan, a local activist.

While several accidents have taken place due to the high-tension wires running close to rooftops of many houses, it took almost three Assembly elections for the politicians to deliver on their promises. However, this time the residents are lucky as they were finally heard.

The issue of removal of high-tension wires cropped up in the run-up to every election as this was the major issue faced by many localities of the city. The removal of wires required funds, which Power Corporation demanded from the residents as per their norms.

However, as the problem pertained to localities inhabited by people from low-income groups, the residents were unable to pay and they demanded from the government to issue funds to Power Corporation for the same.

Pawan Kumar, another resident, said, “Many people lost their limbs and lives after they accidentally came in contact with high-tension wires. Now we are safe, but again poles are still a problem.” Pawan Kumar said some of the poles are in the middle of streets.

Rajinder Kumar, a local resident, added, “These poles could be used in some other areas where these are required. Here these are now being used by private internet companies and are causing road accidents.” He said whenever they talk to officials, they claim that they require permission from the area MLA.

When contacted, MLA Jeevan Jyot Kaur said, “It is absurd that Power Corporation requires my permission for the removal of poles. When wires have been removed, ideally the poles too should have been removed.” She added that the issue was not brought to her notice so far and now she would take it up with the officials concerned.