Staff Reporter

Ponda

The recent Dhavali incident, where a line helper was injured after receiving an electric shock, has brought to light another incident. A lineman in Curti Ponda also suffered a serious injury after receiving an electric shock and falling off an electric pole, just a few days prior.

The injured lineman has been identified as Sidharth Anant Naik, aged 28, residing in Borim. According to officials from the electricity department, he suffered a severe shock while changing the feeder at Curti Ponda, resulting in serious damage to his right hand. Following the accident, he was hospitalised at GMC Bambolim for nearly 15 days. Presently, due to the severity of his injuries, he is undergoing treatment at home.

Sources alleged that the department kept this incident under wraps, and even the Ponda Police maintained secrecy.

However, after the Dhavali incident on Wednesday, where line helper Upendra Naik was injured, staff members started speaking up about the frequent incidents occurring in Ponda.

They said that this was the second incident in the area this month.

The frequent incidents involving electricity department staff in accidents have raised concerns about their safety.

When contacted, Engineers of the Ponda Division blamed the staff for negligence, saying all necessary safety gear is provided to the staff, and they are regularly reminded of the precautions needed to be taken.

However, despite these measures, some individuals still take things for granted, leading to such incidents, said the engineers while speaking to this daily.