Overhead wires on Bariatu Road pose threats to commuters

Ranchi: Anand Kumar, a resident of the Burdwan compound in the city, met with an accident because of overhead wires, including cable TV, electricity and others, hanging precariously on the Bariatu road. “A cable wire suddenly broke and fell across my bike as I was travelling along the Bariatu road to my office. I immediately put on the brakes but was hit by a car coming from behind.”
Luckily, he escaped with minor injuries and several commuters and residents warned that the cobweb of overhead wires across the city pose a potential risk which could prove fatal.
Saurabh Kumar, a salesman who often moves around the city because of his professional commitments, said such wires just don’t pose a safety risk to people but also deface the city’s aesthetic appeal. “Overhead wires have become a menace, more so during the monsoon when there is a potential threat of them getting snapped by gusty winds. Imagine the kind of threat it would pose if any live electric wire gets snapped,” he said.
Meanwhile, RMC administrator Shashi Ranjan said the majority of the overhead wires and cables are put up by private parties on the electricity department poles. He said, “RMC is making efforts to remove such overhead wires. While the underground electrification work is being undertaken by JBVNL, we will soon hold meetings with cable and telecom operators in this regard.”
The general manager (supply and distribution) of Jharkhand Bijli Vitran Nigam Limited (JBVNL), Sunil Kumar, said only Jio telecom’s wires were given a no objection certificate (NOC) for using their electric poles.
“In 2014, we only gave the NOC to Jio for using our poles for their cables. No other private company has been given permission. We are not aware if anyone has illegally used our poles,” he claimed.