Live wires kill one a day in Gujarat

On an average, at least one person is electrocuted to death every day in the state. In 2008-09, 417 people lost their lives while 342 sustained burn injuries after coming in contact with live wires.

Incidentally, these figures do not include the 528 animals that also died of electric shock in the same period.

Many of these deaths could have been prevented if the state’s power distribution companies had taken adequate measures to prevent people from coming in contact with live wire.

According to data available with the chief electrical inspector, of the 417 victims, 45 died when the power conductors snapped, and 65 lost their lives because they ignored safety regulations or because of lack of supervision. Another 56 died because of inadequate maintenance of poles, wires and other equipment used by distribution companies.

Thus, 166 of the 417 people who died of electrocution could have been saved if proper safety measures had been put in place by state-owned power distribution companies such as Pashchim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd, Uttar Gujarat Vij Corporation Ltd, Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited, and Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd.

KK Bajaj, energy expert and director of Consumer Education and Research Centre (CERC), said, “Electricity companies have failed miserably in protecting the lives of people and animals. They have been carelessness in their approach towards safety.”