Chennai: A few electric posts at Fifth Block, Mugappair East, are not being maintained properly by the Tamilnadu Electricity Board. One among them, installed long ago near PMR Matriculation Higher Secondary School, is in dilapidated condition and it has to be replaced as soon as possible before any unwanted incident could happen. This is what nearby residents feel.
R Prasad, a resident, said, “To my knowledge, this EB post was installed in the year 1984. Later, it was shifted from its original place to this spot. It is in a damaged condition now. It looks like a skeleton, we can see the rusted iron rod placed inside the pole. A few years ago, when workers were connecting wires to the post, I requested them to replace it. But they said they would inform the higher officials. I even offered cement and sand to do patch work.”
He also mentioned that school children playing near to this post were not aware of the danger. “We are afraid of electrocution. Hence, we request the EB officials to replace the post before this monsoon.”
Sundari, a school student said, “My friends and I make use of this stretch to reach the school. Whenever I come close to the post, I look up and move fast to avoid danger. From top to bottom, cement materials pasted on this post have fallen.”
“The bad condition of this post is known to all students and teachers. One of my teachers advised us not to go near to the post,” she added.
“When I went to EB office behind 7H bus stand to pay my bill, I informed the staff about the post and got a reply that the message will be conveyed to the official concerned. But, till now, no steps were taken. We request the officials to replace it immediately for the welfare of the local residents,” said, Pandi, another resident.
A TNEB Assistant Engineer said, “I have received the complaint and went to the spot to inspect the post. I request the people not to be afraid as it won’t fall. I will take steps to replace it as soon as possible.”