Metro India News | Hyderabad

In the wake of multiple electrocution deaths during festival activities, the Telangana government has ordered immediate removal of cable wires hanging from electricity poles across the state. Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka directed officials to take up the task on a war footing, while also expediting underground cabling works in Hyderabad.

The directive comes after four people lost their lives and two others were injured in separate incidents in Hyderabad and Kamareddy within the last 24 hours. The victims were either transporting Ganesh idols or setting up pandals when the idols or structures came into contact with overhead electricity wires.

On Tuesday morning, two persons were electrocuted and one injured at Bandlaguda when a Ganesh idol being transported on a vehicle touched a high-tension wire. In Amberpet, a youth who suffered a shock while erecting a pandal succumbed at a hospital. In Kamareddy, a 19-year-old died and another was injured when a truck carrying an idol came into contact with an overhead line.

These incidents follow Sunday night’s tragedy in Ramanthapur, where five devotees died and four were injured after a makeshift chariot came in contact with power lines during Sri Krishna Janmashtami festivities.

The Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) has taken cognisance of the Ramanthapur accident and directed the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) to submit a detailed report by September 22, covering causes, accountability, remedial actions, and compensation measures.

TGSPDCL Head Calls for Safety

Meanwhile, TGSPDCL Chairman and Managing Director Musharraf Faruqui expressed sorrow over the deaths but maintained that the accidents were due to factors other than departmental negligence. Inspecting the Bandlaguda site, he appealed to pandal organisers and the public to strictly follow safety norms.

He also listed precautions, including planning idol routes based on height, maintaining a safe distance from power lines, avoiding metal decorations, and ensuring only authorised electricity staff handle pandal connections.

With Vinayaka Chavithi processions scheduled on August 27, power officials have been asked to remain vigilant, while a special drive is underway to replace dangerous overhead lines with insulated AB cables in Greater Hyderabad.