As per report (The Goan Everyday 30.11.2023) it is shocking to know that from 2018 till November 2023, 14 linesmen of the electricity department (ED) have lost their lives due to electrocution while working on electricity poles. From March till November 23, 2023, 5 linesmen died. A common reason given is “negligence on the part of the ED and/or the linesmen,” but no remedial actions are suggested and/or implemented to avoid another incident. Nowadays it is a criminal negligence that power supply is switched on when linesmen are carrying out their duty, when mobile calls and messages and wireless handsets can be used to communicate between the linesmen and the ED. Share information about the area where and what kind of work is being carried out. Only when a go-ahead is received the ED should restore the power supply. If the ED has prior information about repairs being underway in an area and power supply is shut off, then it must be determined (through CCTVs) as to who restored the power without a clearance from the linesmen and supervisors. The authorities need to act fast before another life is lost due to carelessness.
