MARGAO
This red-coloured Low Tension Service Pillar electrical panel abutting the congested and narrow road in the heart of the commercial capital leading to the Margao office of the Goa State Co-operative Bank, displays a danger warning “ apparently a message for the members of the public not to come in contact with the panel.
Public, however, stands exposed day and night to the danger posed by the electrical service pillar, but for a different reason “ the service pillar has no door, throwing up a moot question why the Power Department had not moved in to shut the pillar with a door and reduce the danger posed to the motorists and pedestrians using the narrow road.
That’s not all. The electrical service pillar is located right at the entrance to the Margao branch of the Goa State Co-operative Bank, with sources saying the pillar poses danger to the visitors to the Bank.
Local residents as well as owners of business establishments fear that even a minor accident at the site of the electrical service pillar can result in a major fatality, not by the accident, but in the event the road user or motorists lands on the open electrical panel.
Questions are being raised in local quarters why the Power Department officials have not moved in to shut the service pillar with a door and reduce the risk of pedestrians and motorists coming in contact with the box.
A local businessman recalled how a young labourer, a native of Bihar was electrocuted to death when he came in contact with a panel at the entrance to a commercial centre in the heart of the city. “Any rag picker may meet a similar fate if he or she comes in contact with the service pillar. Hope the power officials take urgent measures to shut the service pillar with a door,” remarked the businessman.
Sources pointed out that the service pillar found open may be a tip of the ice berg, saying there may be many a pillar which is found open for want of a door.
