Electricity department starts removal of damaged electric poles in Puducherry
The Puducherry Electricity Department has begun removing damaged and corroded streetlights following the death of a seven-year-old boy caused by a collapsing pole. The government also plans to replace old infrastructure with new decorative poles.
Why it matters
This incident underscores the critical need for urban infrastructure maintenance and public safety oversight to prevent preventable fatalities.
Damaged electric poles on Gingee Salai being removed by Electricity Department staff following the recent death of a seven-year-old boy on the Beach Promenade in Puducherry. | Photo Credit: KUMAR SS
After facing criticism for negligence that left a seven-year-old boy dead in an electric pole collapse, the Electricity Department has started removal of all damaged streetlights in Puducherry.
Fazal, son of a beach vendor from Uttar Pradesh, was killed last Sunday after a damaged electric pole suddenly collapsed on the boy while he was playing on the Beach Promenade. The incident had caused public outrage after reports emerged on the lack of initiative from the department in timely redressal of complaints regarding rusted streetlights along the roads of Puducherry. The damage to the electric poles on the Beach Promenade area was highlighted in the media.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in