MSEDCL Negligence Exposed!
Deaths during the monsoon season are not just limited to people being killed due to collapsing of dilapidated buildings, tree falls, open manholes or potholes, but also people dying due to electrocution.
Despite several people dying this way, MSEDCL pays no heed and does not take precautionary measures to seal the bare and naked live wires which are an open invitation to death. In just one month of the monsoon season, there have been six cases of death due to electrocution reported across Mumbai. Home Times Team thus carried out an exclusive investigation to identify such naked and open wires in and around Mulund and, surprisingly, found many massive electric wires lying dangerously open on the roads in both Mulund East and West.
In its investigation, Home Times found many roads in Mulund are lying dug-up with huge and thick electric cables lying open! At many places, Home Times detected live cables and lights that have been supported by tree branches!! Everybody is aware that water is a good conductor of electricity and exposure of such cables is extremely dangerous to the lives of citizens in monsoon, but still MSEDCL is least bothered!!!
Open invitation to death at NS Road
On NS Road an electric box is open right opposite IDBI Bank in Mulund West. Home Times has highlighted the MSEDCL negligence several times in its issues but, alas, MSEDCL has turned a Nelson’s Eye to this issue. What makes these open cables dangerous is that the cable wires of the open DP are exposed and passing through the nullah water. Being in contact with water, the open cables are hazardous. In case, anybody comes in contact with these cables, he will be electrocuted!!
Similarly, opposite the Rationing Office on NS Road and at the junction of NS Road and JS Road cables are lying open, posing a serious threat to residents and giving an invitation to death. It is heartrending the concerned authorities seem to be in deep slumber and are waiting for a tragedy to strike.
Maximum violation of norms at Zaver Road
Maximum negligence and violation of norms can be seen outside Shree Mulund Shwetambar Murtipujak Jain Derasar located at Zaver Road. Right outside the Jain temple, the road is dug and the open cables have been placed over a wooden log. The wires are thus dangling in the air like a garland. The devotees visiting the temple are very angry and curse the MSEDCL administration for playing with the lives of devotees.
A step ahead, near PNB Bank, similar negligence of MSEDCL can be witnessed. Similarly, one observes such open DP and bare cables on many roads in Mulund West like MG Road, Mulund Colony, Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das Marg, etc.
Open wires outside Raje Sambhaji Garden Mulund East
Raje Sambhaji Garden in Mulund East is a favourite leisure spot of many people. Youngsters come to play while senior citizens come for morning and evening walk. Health enthusiasts and sports lovers, too, can be seen enjoying. Thus, the place is thronged by the old and young. Despite so many people visiting the garden, Home Time noticed open cables on the road!
An angry resident informed Home Times, “The electric cable is dangerous and a fatal hazard. But, despite the threat to human lives, nobody is covering it. I wonder, is it because nobody has been electrocuted to death?” He added, “What is more serious is that many schools students also walk through this road as the area has many schools around. Hence, there is every possibility of a school student or a patient coming in contact with the live wires and losing life!!”
Open cable outside Fire Bridge office
Near the Fire Bridge office also an MSEDCL cable is coming out from a DP box and lying dangerously open on the footpath. The footpath is close to the BEST bus stop and several bus passengers risk their lives. A passenger said, “If the cable is chewed by rodents and the naked live wire gets exposed than one can imagine the height of damage it could cause to bus passengers and people passing by the footpath.”
BMC T-Ward to serves Notice to MSEDCL under Disaster Act
When Home Times confronted BMC T-Ward Assistant Commissioner Kishore Gandhi, he said, “True, I am aware of the MSEDCL negligence. In fact, I plan to serve a notice to MSEDCL under the Disaster Act because, despite writing several letters MSEDCL highlighting its negligence related to open cables, the MSEDCL administrative office has never taken our complaint seriously and never responded to our complaint.”
He added, “We have also written a hard-hitting letter alerting them that if any untoward accidental death occurs due to their negligence then MSEDCL will be held accountable. Gandhi highlighted that as per norms the cables must be 2.5 meters beneath the roads but, in Mulund, several cables are above the normal height and a threat to human lives.
However, MSEDCL’s Chief Engineer, Sarika Khobragade avers that she is not aware of any such act of negligence. At some places there is a dearth of open space and at other places the cables cannot be laid underground owing to drainage lines passing underneath. That’s why the cables are laid above the ground. However, the whole problem will be studied closely and appropriate steps shall be taken.” She refused to elaborate further.
