Ludhiana: Thousands of children and daily walkers face severe electrocution risks across the city as uninsulated power transformers, low-hanging cables, and utility poles obstruct footpaths and play areas inside municipal parks.
Despite recent multi-crore-rupee civic renovation projects, local authorities have repeatedly failed to relocate the hazardous electrical infrastructure, sparking widespread safety concerns ahead of the fast-approaching monsoon season.
Dangerous Configurations in Parks
The dangerous configurations are prominent throughout the city's green spaces. In a major park off Cemetery Road, a high-voltage transformer, junction boxes, and exposed cabling sit directly on the pedestrian track. Similarly, a park in Shahi Mohalla features a transformer flanked by five utility poles, with low-hanging wires dangling at head height.
Children at High Risk
The hazard is particularly acute for children. In Kundanpuri, a newly inaugurated "box cricket" arena is heavily patronised by local youth despite being built directly adjacent to an active transformer. In Civil Lines, residents have also flagged a newly installed telephone tower obstructing a central park footpath. Local park-goers say their long-standing complaints have been ignored during routine council maintenance cycles.
"We come here daily with our children for fresh air and exercise," one local resident said. "The presence of these transformers and hanging wires near the footpaths makes us feel worried, especially during rainy days."
Utility Company Response
Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPC) chief engineer Jagdev Singh Hans defended the utility's infrastructure, noting that most transformers predate the construction of the parks. He added, however, that the utility would cooperate if formal complaints were escalated.
"If there is a serious safety concern in any area, residents or their local councillor should contact my office," Hans said. "We can resolve the issue by shifting the transformers through a joint effort as soon as possible."
