UKHRUL: A fifteen-year-old boy was electrocuted at Langdang village in the Ukhrul District on April 22, resulting in severe burns.
In a letter addressed to the Executive Director (P) of the NHIDCL, S. Shangriwung, the Manager of the Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) Transmission Sub Division No.VIII, reported that the boy was playing near a 33KV power line when the incident occurred. He attributed the accident to the road expansion and hill-cutting work conducted by NHIDCL, which piled debris around electrical equipment, compromising the overhead clearance.
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Further, the Manager stated that NHIDCL or its subcontractors should be responsible for covering the victim’s medical expenses through a public-private partnership.
“High-voltage lines (33KV, 132KV) run through various areas in the region, supplying electricity to different parts of the district. NHIDCL must exercise extreme caution when working near these electrical lines,” he stated in the letter.
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To prevent similar incidents in the future, the MSPCL Manager recommended several measures, including:
1. Avoiding the deposit of debris from road expansion or hill-cutting work near electrical lines and poles, and removing it promptly if it occurs.
2. Providing prior notification for any earth-moving activities near electric lines.
3. Obtaining permission from MSPCL before shifting any MSPCL utility assets, such as 33KV lines, to avoid legal action.
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“We will need to work together to avoid any loopholes that may put public life and health in jeopardy. Otherwise, for any such incident arising out of sheer negligence, NHIDCL would be deemed responsible,” he cautioned.