Ranchi: Exposed and dangling wires on utility poles across the city have sparked fears of electrocution as rain and waterlogging increase the risk to pedestrians and commuters.A survey of Circular Road, Lalpur, Morhabadi and Bariatu on Tuesday found loose wires, broken cables and tangled electricity, telecom and internet lines along arterial and interior roads.The hazards were also visible near prominent locations, including the Ranchi deputy commissioner’s official residence, the CBI office, Kutchery Chowk and Deendayal Nagar — areas where several senior bureaucrats, ministers and former ministers reside. Many utility poles occupy footpaths, forcing pedestrians to pass dangerously close to the wires.The threat has grown since the southwest monsoon arrived in June. Persistent rain has waterlogged several localities, raising fears that a live wire falling into accumulated water could prove fatal. Several areas were inundated on Tuesday following an hour-long downpour.Pointing to loose wires on a pole outside the DC’s residence, Ranchi University student Vineet Kumar said hundreds of students from Shyama Prasad Mukherjee University and Ranchi University use the pavement to reach their campuses.“The exposed and scattered wires pose a serious risk of electrocution. Any student could become a victim,” he said.Bariatu resident Shailesh Singh said loose and dangling wires had become a citywide menace but had failed to draw adequate attention from the authorities.“Poles with loose wires can be seen on almost every road. The authorities should inspect vulnerable poles and cables before the monsoon instead of waiting for a mishap,” he said.Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Ltd (JBVNL) general manager Manmohan Kumar, however, said loose wires were present on only around 10 of the city’s nearly 2 lakh electricity poles.“On other poles, wires are positioned at a height of around 11-12 feet and do not pose a risk to commuters. We regularly inspect the poles and rectify shortcomings,” Kumar said.“Out of that, loose wire can be spotted only in around 10 poles. In all other poles, wires are placed at around 11-12 feet so that it does not pose a risk to commuters. We regularly inspect the poles and rectify the lacunae,” he said. EOM
