Dangling power cables pose constant danger

Citizens condemn alleged carelessness of WAPDA officials

CHAKWAL:

A potential life-threatening incident might happen in Chakwal at any time because of the sheer incompetence and ineptitude of the officials of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).

Sources said exposed power cables are dangling dangerously low in front of residential premises in Sarafa Bazaar, Moti Bazar, Old Vegetable Market, Hospital Road, Bhagat Street and surrounding areas in the densely populated neighbourhoods of Chakwal City.

They said at several locations, the wires have lowered to the point where even a child can get into an accident by touching them.

Expressing dismay over the dangerously dangling electric cables across the city, including famous business centres, citizens strongly condemned the carelessness of the WAPDA officials. “WAPDA is bent on jeopardising the lives and properties of the people,” they said.

They warned that a tragic incident might happen at any time due to a short circuit in the electric lines which are bundled and hung above the business centres and outside the residential premises.

Voicing their concerns, the locals said: “In case of a sudden accident, it is not possible to carry out timely relief operations due to the narrow streets.”

The citizens while talking to The Express Tribune demanded the top WAPDA officials take prompt action to fix the dangerous electric wires in the densely populated areas instead of waiting for a devastating tragedy to happen. “In case of any accident, WAPDA will be held responsible,” they warned.

When contacted, WAPDA SDO City said he was not aware of the entire scenario and would only be able to comment after looking into the matter. He claimed that no one had filed any complaint from anywhere around the city. “We will, however, mobilise our teams in this respect and carry out an extensive inspection in this regard,” the SDO assured this scribe.

He added that negligence on the part of any WAPDA official would not be condoned.

He also urged the people to report their grievances to the department. “At any hour of the day or night, our professionals are prepared to assist you.”

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2023.