Outsourced Discom Worker Electrocuted During Maintenance Work in Dhar
A tragic incident occurred on Sunday morning at the 33 kV power substation in Susari village, located in Kukshi tehsil of Dhar district. An outsourced worker employed by the discom was electrocuted while performing maintenance duties, leading to immediate on-the-spot death and subsequent outrage among local residents.
Details of the Fatal Incident
According to Kukshi police station in-charge Rajesh Yadav, the deceased has been identified as Rahul, a 29-year-old resident of Susari village. Rahul was working as an outsourced employee with the discom company. The company had issued a notice on Saturday through social media platforms, informing consumers in Kukshi town that the power supply would remain suspended from 7 am to 11 am on Sunday due to scheduled maintenance work at the 33 kV substation in Susari.
The fatal accident occurred at approximately 8:15 am on Sunday when Rahul climbed the transformer during the maintenance operation. He accidentally came into contact with live electrical current, resulting in his instantaneous death at the scene. The maintenance work was part of the scheduled power shutdown that had been publicly announced in advance.
Local Residents Express Anger and Allegations
Following the tragic incident, tension quickly escalated in Susari village as residents gathered at the site. The local community expressed strong resentment and anger toward the discom authorities, alleging serious negligence in safety protocols.
Residents specifically claimed that the power supply was not properly shut down during the maintenance operation, despite the scheduled outage announcement. They characterized Rahul's death as a clear case of grave negligence on the part of the discom company and its management.
Police Investigation Underway
Kukshi police station in-charge Rajesh Yadav confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation. Police officials will be recording statements from senior discom officials to determine responsibility for Rahul's untimely death.
"The matter is under investigation and statement of discom senior officials will be recorded to ascertain responsibility of Rahul's death. Further action will be taken thereafter," stated Yadav, emphasizing that appropriate legal measures will follow once the investigation concludes.
Broader Implications and Community Impact
The incident has raised serious questions about safety standards for outsourced workers in the power sector, particularly during maintenance operations. Local residents have demanded accountability and improved safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The scheduled maintenance work that led to this fatality was intended to improve power infrastructure, but instead resulted in a devastating loss of life that has shaken the Susari village community. The case highlights the critical importance of proper safety protocols and oversight during electrical maintenance operations.
