Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL)’s claims of no entangled wires in the city have fallen flat. Many areas of the city still face the problems of intertwined electricity wires hanging on poles or outside houses or other establishments.
In a press release issued by PSPCL chief engineer, central zone, Ludhiana, Rashpal Singh on Friday, it was stated that there were no entangled and naked wires in the city, especially in narrow areas. He claimed that the wires visible in these areas might be of other departments such as telephone, or cable television or other things.
He said under the Rs 410-crore Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) project of the corporation such old wires have been replaced in major areas and in many parts work was on in full swing.
However, one can easily witness entangled electricity wires in areas such as Haibowal, Giaspura and Bahadur K Road, and in the narrow markets of Chaura Bazaar, Akalgarh Market, Books Market and Field Ganj.
Gurdeep Singh, a shopkeeper at Chaura Bazaar, said, “In the recent past, many fire accidents had taken place in the market because of poor system of wires, but instead of replacing old wires, the corporation is escaping from the situation by covering naked wires with tapes. The corporation has a lot to do in the area, because knotted , naked wire bunches pose a threat to human lives and property.”
{{/usCountry}}Gurdeep Singh, a shopkeeper at Chaura Bazaar, said, “In the recent past, many fire accidents had taken place in the market because of poor system of wires, but instead of replacing old wires, the corporation is escaping from the situation by covering naked wires with tapes. The corporation has a lot to do in the area, because knotted , naked wire bunches pose a threat to human lives and property.”
{{/usCountry}}Rustamveer Singh, a resident of Karnail Singh Nagar, said, “We have complained many times to the PSPCL about entangled wires hanging outside our house, but to no avail. Now, the electricity pole has also tilted, and with the rainy season approaching, we fear electrocution as these wires cross our rooftop.”
‘TAKE PERMISSION TO AXE TREES NEAR ELECTRICITY WIRES’
Chief engineer Rashpal Singh said permission needed to be taken from the corporation before axing any tree near electricity wires, and not doing so could invite legal action.
He said many times the corporation had to bear losses because of public ignorance. Recently, the electricity supply was disrupted when a tree axed by a resident fell on the electricity wires in Sector 32, Chandigarh Road. The electricity in the area was restored after many hours.
Singh said such incidents cause a heavy loss to the corporation.
He also urged the people not to plant saplings near electric poles and to cooperate with the corporation for better electricity supply.