John Wilbert & Rabindranath Biswas
Port Blair, Dec 14: A 30-year-old DRM Staff of Electricity Department suffered injuries because of electrocution while carrying out electrical works on a pole tower near a private resort at Chidiyatapu this morning.As per report, the person was identified as Santhosh, a DRM Staff of ElectricityDepartment, posted at Bird Line Electricity Office.
The incident took place this morning when he went on duty in Chidiyatapu area for Line works of electric poles. While working on the pole he got electric shocks because of which fell to the ground and sustained injuries.
He was immediately rushed to the PHC Garacharma by nearby people. After the primary examination and check-up, the Doctor at PHC Garacharma referred him to GB Pant Hospital for further treatment where he is undergoing the required treatment.
Meanwhile, the people of this region alleged that the entire Electricity Department in the area is plagued by the shortage of linemen; Bird Line Electricity Office covers a very large area while, ironically, it has only two linemen- one is at morning duty and the other one is night duty. And the Dept. has to face the problem in the event of any emergency work. Left with no choice, the Dept. is compelled to send the DRMs to attend the emergency work meant to be carried out by a lineman.
Besides, the non-availability of any safety gear for the employees at the Electricity Office at Bird Line was the main reason behind this accident, the residents further alleged.
This is not the first time, when such an incident has been reported from these Islands and hence people are raising serious questions over the working style of the Electricity Department to put lives of people at risk, who are engaged in Daily wages and who have no medical or life covers from the side of the government.
