2 die, 4 injured in Jashpur as pole touches live line; safety under scanner

Raipur: Two workers were electrocuted and four others injured after a metal electricity pole they were shifting came in contact with an 11kV live line at Pakargaon in Jashpur district on Tuesday, triggering questions over whether the power supply had been properly shut down and mandatory work permits obtained.The incident took place in Pathalgaon region when workers engaged by a private contractor were replacing an old pole with a new one using a tractor.Police identified the deceased as Alekh Ekka (28) of Raigarh district and Toman Dhruv (30) of Gariyaband district. Two workers, including Tribhuvan Dhruv and Lochan Majhi, suffered serious burn injuries, while others sustained lesser injuries.Pathalgaon SDOP Dhruvesh Jaiswal said seven workers were engaged in the work and the pole came in contact with the live supply line while being shifted. Two died on the spot and the injured were rushed to hospital.The accident has now centred attention on the shutdown and permit procedure. Some injured workers claimed they had been told at the site that the necessary permit had been taken and the electricity supply switched off before work began. Power department officials, however, gave a different account.Pathalgaon assistant engineer K K Deshmukh said the junior engineer concerned told him that neither prior information nor the mandatory permit for shutting down power had been obtained before the work was undertaken.The contradiction is now part of the inquiry, with officials examining whether a shutdown was actually authorised, what communication was made to workers on the ground and whether prescribed safety procedures were followed.Workers also alleged inadequate safety arrangements and staged a brief protest at the hospital, demanding action against those responsible and compensation for the families of the deceased. Pathalgaon SDM Kshitij Gurbhele visited the spot and reviewed the circumstances of the accident. Officials said responsibility would be fixed after examining the permit trail, supply records and the role of the contractor and field staff.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Raipur | Silver Rate in Raipur | Bank Holidays in Raipur | Public Holidays in Raipur | Raipur AQI | Weather in Raipur | Petrol Price in Raipur | Diesel Price in Raipur | CNG Price in Raipur | LPG Price in RaipurStay updated with the latest Raipur news. Download the TOI App.