Kolkata: Locals worried over live wires, alert civic officials – Times of India

KOLKATA: Live wires within touching distance in open joint boxes on pavements along major roads in south Kolkata left residents concerned and anxious about the hazard they pose during the rains.

With showers predicted over the next two days, residents of Lake Road, Keyatala and Sarat Bose Road contacted civic officials and urged them to take measures to seal them and prevent any case of electrocution. After TOI brought the issue to the notice of KMC electricity department officials, they fixed two of the streetlight junction boxes and promised to look into others.
“We are worried about the exposed wires. Many in the locality have complained to civic authorities but there has been no action yet. The boxes have been ajar for a very long time. There can be accident even when there is no rain. But if there is waterlogging, it can claim lives,” said local resident and cybercafe owner Subhasis Mazumdar, pointing at a KMC joint box at the Lake Road-Sarat Bose Road crossing.
Similar complaints poured in from other south Kolkata neighbourhoods. Since these area have several nightclubs, restaurants and bars, the demand for power had increased many times and electrical faults had also gone up exponentially, said Mazumdar. “We are scared to step out of our home if there is waterlogging. Every monsoon, we read stories of electrocution. The way the live wires are exposed in the streetlight junction boxes, anything can happen anytime,” said Ananya Sen, a resident of Bhawanipore.
Kolkata has witnessed multiple electrocution deaths in the past few monsoons. “Yet, the situation remains dangerous for pedestrians. I called councillors and KMC headquarters, but there was no response,” said Somendra Mohan Ghosh from Sarat Bose Road.
“We are taking safety arrangements for citizens to ensure no accident occurs due to inundation of streets following a heavy downpour. We have checked our electrical wires and tools that are part of the city’s street lighting system. If any loophole exists, we will check them by tonight and take remedial measures,” said a senior KMC official.
The power department has opened a 24×7 control room at Bidyut Bhawan. In case of any power failure, transformer dysfunction or uprooting of electrical pole, one can call on or send a WhatAapp message to 8900793503 and 8900793504.