‘Mangaluru streets’ turning into an electric trap

Team Udayavani, Oct 4, 2018, 6:37 PM IST

Mangaluru:  Walking around Mangaluru roads seems to be getting riskier by the day with pedestrians not only having to dodge traffic on roads, bereft of pavements but also need to keep a watch for dangling wires lest they electrocute themselves to death.

Strange but true the city which is seeing a lot of developmental projects, under the Smart City mission has overlooked the safety of the pedestrians, including children and elderly  by not taking adequate safety measures.

Sights of open transformers, skinned electric wires on the roads are so common that people have probably started taking it in their normal stride but none the less it is simply a disaster that can strike you any time.

In a densely populated city like ours though the Mescom officials should take steps to address these issues immediately, a lot of such cases remain unattended across the city.

Walk at your own risk

Most of the transformers and LTDs in the city at various locations including Urwa store, Kankanady, PVS circle, Kodialbail, Mannagudda, Ballal Bhag and other locations could accidentally come in contact with a passerby.  What’s more most of the transformers are devoid of any wire fencing.  Skinned electric wires are seen lying around openly at many places thus becoming a cause of concern for the localites.

A street light located near Kodialguthu here,  almost touches the compound wall of Vishal children and maternity hospital. Notably at around 3 feet height of the pole,  there is a skinned electric wire which has been left as it is and poses a danger for the patients visiting the hospital.

Similarly the door of the meter box and electricity supply box of a transformer near the Mayor’s Bungalow has remained open since last few months.  This despite the fact that the surrounding area is a residential one and also has a playground nearby. Children often come to play at this ground in the evenings and Mescom’s negligence is casting a cloud of danger over them.

The scene is no different at Chilimbi where skinned wire are seen lying near the meter box of the electricity pole located on the main road here which witnesses a huge footfall. No form of protection has been provided for this meter box.

The power cable of an electricity pole in front of the football ground near Mannagudda is also hanging out. Ironically, a net has been installed for the ground nearby.

Garment business beneath the transformer

If the open transformers were not enough to scare the people, vendors selling garments beneath the transformer on the road side near Rao and Rao circle at State Bank area of the city have just heightened the danger.  Infact some even go to the extent of displaying the clothes on the transformer’s pole to catch the customers eye.

Dysfunctional electric poles

Dysfunctional electric poles are found at various locations across the city. A single electric pole has been equipped with cable wire, box and many other equipments while some other electric poles are simply rusting away. The public is saying that Mescom officials need to take notice of this.

Awaiting nod to undertake repairs

“We have noticed the dysfunctional street lamps in the city. At a few places, the doors of the boxes on the street lamps have opened. Those areas have already been identified. We have sent the cost list for the work plan to the commissioner. As soon as the permission comes, the repair will begin,” says Devraj, Assistant Executive Engineer- MCC.

Action will be taken

“All the Open transformers and dangling wires in the city will be identified and action will be taken to avoid any mishaps,” said Manjappa, Executive Engineer- Mescom