Common sense is not always common
Bare electric wires set in a dangerously slanting bamboo pole at Kholahati in Gaibandha Sadar upazila pose serious risk of accidents as a section of local Power Development Board staff continue giving electricity connection for irrigation and domestic purposes without safety measures.Photo: STAR
A section of Power Development Board (PDB) staff are engaged in giving power connection for irrigation pumps during the ongoing boro season with bare wires set in bamboo poles in remote areas of the district, much to the risk of accident. In some cases, connection for domestic purposes is also given in the same way, making people and animals vulnerable to electrocution, locals said. Bamboo poles carrying bare electric wires may fall to the ground even in a moderate wind, they said. On August 6 last year, Faruk and Asadul, two young men of village Tarafkamal in Gaibandha Sadar upazila, were electrocuted after contacting a live power line that had fallen on the ground. Demanding punishment to PDB officials responsible for connecting power line with bare wire on bamboo poles, people took up a series of agitation programme including rally, human chain and protest meeting but local PDB has continued the risky practice, said Younus Ali, convener of Faruk--Asadul Smrity Sangsad. He demanded removal of all the bare wires from bamboo poles for safety of local people, especially children. When contacted, local PDB officials said they are giving temporary electricity connection to irrigation pumps in the ongoing boro season on emergency basis. They however said measures are being taken to replace bare wires with those with safety cover.
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