Hanging wires pose risk
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, January 30
The state government may be making efforts to tap hydel power potential, but it doesn't have proper infrastructure to supply power in a safe manner. In this border township, hanging electric wires from poles are posing a great threat to the lives of residents.

The residents complain that despite repeated requests, the department concerned is not taking the matter seriously and is putting them to great risk. They said that at many places in the town,the wires were at a height of only 6-7 feet and could kill a person. They further said that in some areas electric wires passed through the roofs of the houses and posed a great risk to their lives.

They added that the areas where the electric wires remained close to the ground or passed through roofs were Old City, DC Colony, Jawahar Nagar , Bela Colony and Kheora.

"Not only are the electric wires at some places close to the ground, but in some other areas, the wires run through the floors of the houses. We, on several occasions, have taken up this matter with the Superintendenting Engineer and the Executive Engineer so that they take some action. But they have hardly done anything and are putting human lives to great risk", fumed Majid Dar, a resident of Kheora. "We urge the state government to take the matter seriously as it involves precious human lives".

Aasif Choudhary, a student of the DC Colony area, said: "The main electric wires here are just 6-7 feet high from the ground. If at night, some tall person passes through here, he may get a shock. It is also risky during the rainy season".

Sources in the power department said, "The department had written to the higher authorities for funds for rectifying the problem", they said.