New Delhi: A day after a traffic signal pole came crashing down on vehicles on Minto Road, leaving two people injured, Delhi Police Wednesday registered a case.Police suspect seepage may have contributed to the collapse. Sources said the agency responsible for maintaining the signal pole was alerted about the need for repairs about five days before the mishap.The pole was installed in 2010. An inspection showed rust around its base and visible signs of wear. However, the pole, like several other in Connaught Place, appeared to have been freshly painted.The condition of its base raised questions about whether the structure underneath the paint had deteriorated. “Iron rusts after the monsoon. They keep painting over it instead of replacing the structure. It was a huge traffic light carrying a lot of weight. No wonder it fell,” said Shiva Chauhan, who works at a kulfi shop nearby.The case was registered on the complaint of autorickshaw driver Budhpal, who told police that around 9 pm Tuesday, near a mosque in K-Block on the Outer Circle in Connaught Place, the traffic signal pole collapsed onto his vehicle and a scooter. The vehicles got pinned under the pole.An FIR was registered at Connaught Place police station against unknown persons under BNS Sections 125(a) and 125(b), which deal with rash or negligent acts endangering life or personal safety.Traffic police sources said officials also visited the spot and began an inquiry. Sources said a show-cause notice is likely to be issued to the agency responsible for maintaining the pole. “Routine letters are sent to the agencies, and monthly reports are also collected. The tender documents also place the responsibility for repairs on the agency,” a source said.Auto driver Budhpal told police that he had picked up a passenger from Hanuman Mandir and was taking him to Kake Da Dhaba when he stopped at the red light near the Minto Road bridge. The passenger in his auto and the scooty rider, who were injured, were taken to nearby hospitals in PCR vans.Budhpal told TOI, “I come from a decent family and ride my auto on rent.” The crashing pole injured Budhpal’s arms and spine. “It was shocking. The auto was destroyed,” he said.The passenger, a 12-year-old boy, suffered injuries to his hand and shoulder.The other injured, 73-year-old Sunil Gilani, was admitted to a private hospital with pain in his right forearm and lower back. He also had difficulty walking. Doctors termed his injuries grievous. His family told TOI that he is undergoing surgery and has suffered multiple fractures.On Wednesday, five MCD workers cut the pole into pieces and transported it to a police station. The wires connected to the signal were removed. Traffic was diverted to facilitate the removal.
