Hanging wires pose threat to residents of Tanger, other hilly areas of Ramban

Ramban, Nov 3: Hanging electric wires from damaged wooden poles at Tanger Panchayat and various other areas of Ramban district are posing a constant threat to the people.

The electric live wires crisscross at many locations without any proper planning at some places. It is a puzzle even for departmental linemen /officials to figure out which service line or cable was supplying power to a given connection.

The residents, especially members of civil society, of Tanger have alleged that the area is intentionally ignored by the administration of the development front.

Citing examples, they alleged that the transmission system of both High transmission and low tension, distribution lines had been left unattended by the Jammu Power Development Department Limited (JPDCL), Rambam, due to which there is every apprehension of loss of life and property to the residents of the area, they said.

The electric wires have been tied to the tree, and rotten wooden fence posts erected by the forest department, they informed.

The low-lying live electric conductor is a permanent threat to the residents of Tangar, Kabhi and Gandhari areas, villages that are without insulators.

They alleged that the matter was brought to the notice of the administration, especially executive engineer PDD Batote and Assistant Executive Engineer Sub Division Ramban, a year back when only false assurances were given by them that no action to replace the rotten electric poles and low-lying electric damaged conductor was done to them till to date, they blamed.

Gulab Din of Tanger claimed that more than a half dozen people were electrocuted during the last 10 years in the district. It is only due to the rotting and outdated electric poles and low-lying electric wires in the interior areas of the district.

They have appealed to the Chief Engineer Electric Repair and Maintenance, JPDCL, Jammu, to issue orders by directing the local engineers to replace the poles and conductor in the area so that the apprehension of loss to life and property can be saved.

Residents alleged that these hanging wires have been affecting the movement of people; the department has failed to revamp the connections to date.

The consumers of JPDCL claimed that villages and Ramban district had neglected LT transmission lines hanging on trees; some wooden poles are there which are damaged now.

The department should have installed iron tumblers or concrete cement poles here but they chose to hang the wires on trees. It posed a serious threat to the life and property of the locals, they complained.

They said that poles were erected haphazardly, and the wires were very close to the ground. Even a person can touch them with their hands, they claimed.

Officials said they are looking into the matter. However, Executive Engineer JPDCL, Batote was not available for his comments.