Bhopal: Nearly three people died every day due to electrocution in Madhya Pradesh during the financial year 2024-25, with the toll exceeding 1,100 human lives and 1,492 animal deaths. This surge in fatal power accidents across the state has alarmed authorities, prompting the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) to issue a series of directives to the state's three power distribution companies.
Scale of the Tragedy
According to observations recorded by the commission, a total of 1,963 fatal electrical accidents were reported across East, West, and Central discoms during the financial year. These included 1,102 human fatalities and 1,492 animal deaths, in addition to 329 non-fatal human accidents involving electrocution injuries. The commission noted that several accidents occurred between May and July 2025, exposing failures in compliance with mandatory safety norms prescribed under the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, and MPERC regulations.
Discom-wise Breakdown
- West Discom recorded the highest number of human deaths at 440, along with 527 animal fatalities and 133 non-fatal accidents.
- East Discom reported 342 human deaths and 637 animal fatalities — the highest animal death toll among the three utilities — besides 103 non-fatal accidents.
- Central Discom reported 320 human deaths, 328 animal fatalities, and 93 non-fatal human accidents.
Infrastructure Failures
MPERC observed that ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, especially in rural areas, was a major factor behind accidents involving fallen high-voltage wires, snapped conductors, and damaged poles. The commission noted that while West Discom undertook replacement of 90 km of cables and installed 350 distribution transformers, East and Central discoms lacked a structured asset life cycle replacement programme.
Directions Issued
The commission directed all discoms to adopt a proactive and preventive approach towards electrical safety and prepare a Safety-Focused Asset Management Plan identifying high-risk infrastructure for prioritised replacement and upgradation. It also asked utilities to replace bare conductors with insulated ones in accident-prone areas and ensure strict compliance with CEA Safety Regulations, 2023.
MPERC further directed discoms to integrate smart metering, IoT-based monitoring systems, sensor-enabled safety devices, and voltage detection systems into their safety framework to reduce electrical hazards and improve protection of life and infrastructure.
Data Summary
The total fatal electrical accidents in 2024-25 stood at 1,963, with an average of nearly three human deaths per day. The breakdown by discom is as follows:
- East Discom: 979 fatal accidents, 342 human deaths, 637 animal deaths, 103 non-fatal accidents.
- West Discom: 967 fatal accidents, 440 human deaths, 527 animal deaths, 133 non-fatal accidents.
- Central Discom: 648 fatal accidents, 320 human deaths, 328 animal deaths, 93 non-fatal accidents.
