Noida Residents Alarmed as Power Poles Welded Instead of Replaced
In a concerning development in Noida, the power department has been welding broken electricity poles back together rather than replacing them entirely, raising serious safety concerns among residents. This makeshift approach has stoked fears of potential mishaps, with one such welded pole collapsing onto the second-floor balcony of house A-119 in Sector 55 on Thursday.
Residents Voice Frustration Over Neglected Complaints
The homeowner, SK Sharma, along with his neighbors, had been complaining about the dilapidated condition of the pole for the past six months. Instead of a proper replacement, the pole was merely repaired as a quick fix. Residents estimate there are nearly 10 such rusted poles across the sector, all urgently needing replacement. Additionally, many spots feature poles entangled in overgrown branches or exposed power cables, exacerbating the risk.
Satnarayan Goyal, president of the sector's Residents Welfare Association (RWA), expressed disbelief: "The pole that fell in front of A-119 and reached right to the balcony required urgent attention. The family was fortunate to escape unhurt. But I don't understand why it was welded back and not replaced?" Goyal recounted that when he called for help, he was told no labor was available, and even after informing the sub-divisional officer, the pole remained unreplaced.
Official Response and Resident Skepticism
Complaints to the electricity department throughout the year have reportedly been met with excuses, including claims that new poles are not available. Another resident, Rajesh Aggarwal, highlighted a leaning pole in front of A-137 that has been dangerous for months, with his complaint filed three months ago yielding no action.
Anurag Saxena, the assistant engineer in charge of sectors 55 and 56, told TOI that necessary steps are being taken. He stated that the pole was repaired by Thursday afternoon and, if necessary, would be checked and replaced. Saxena assured that a survey of rusted poles has been completed, identifying around 40 poles across the sectors that need replacement. "Work will begin on Feb 14 and we expect to complete it by mid-March," he said.
However, residents remain skeptical. Aggarwal noted, "There are at least a hundred spots where even cables are worn out. After showers, you can find cables entangled in branches." This ongoing neglect underscores broader issues with civic infrastructure maintenance in the area.
