Rabindranath Biswas
Calicut, April 07: The Pradhan of Gram Panchayat Calicut, South Andaman, Shri Yaghambaram T, has raised a host of issues regarding the shortcomings of the Electricity Department’s infrastructure in areas under his jurisdiction.
According to information, there are several pressing electrical infrastructure issues in Calicut Ward Nos. 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, and 08, which pose serious threats to public safety and disrupt the daily lives of residents.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha Daily, the Pradhan said that many of the electric poles in these areas are reportedly old and rusted, making them structurally weak and vulnerable to collapse. This condition poses a severe risk, especially during adverse weather conditions such as storms. He added that electric cables are dangling dangerously in these areas, creating hazards for both human and animal life.
In fact, the poles are reportedly installed too far apart, causing electric lines to sag, and streetlights are also placed at large distances, which has led to visibility and safety issues for the public. Due to the dangling electric cables, the risk of electrocution or accidental contact is especially high for children, pedestrians, and animals that roam freely in the locality.
There is also reportedly a shortage of electric poles, which further aggravates the safety risks. On the other hand, the existing transformers are often inadequate to meet the growing power demands of the residents. This leads to frequent power outages and voltage fluctuations, Shri Yaghambaram claimed.
Loose or exposed cables are reportedly another recurring issue in these areas. These cables are not only prone to electrical faults but also pose a potential fire hazard and electrocution risk, the Pradhan said. What is particularly troubling, he noted, is that despite repeated requests to the concerned officials of the Electricity Department, no significant steps have been taken to improve the infrastructure.
Shri Yaghambaram has written a letter to the Secretary (Power), A&N Administration, Sri Vijaya Puram, apprising him of these issues and urging him to instruct the Electricity Department to take immediate action to ensure the safety of residents. However, the situation reportedly remains unchanged, he said.
Expressing deep concern over the dilapidated condition of the electrical infrastructure, the Pradhan warned that the approaching rainy season could worsen the already precarious situation, potentially putting the department in a difficult position and causing serious inconvenience to the public.
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