The tilted electric poles and live wires hanging ominously overhead in public places pose a “serious” threat to human life. A little contact and this might be the end of a precious life.
A number of electric poles in capital Dhaka, other metropolitan cities, district downs, upazila headquarters and villages across the country remain dangerously tilted thus inviting disaster anytime. The live electric wires hanging from the tilted poles may snap anytime and fall on pedestrians to their peril.
According to a media statistics, at least six people died of electrocution coming in contact with live wire at the end of October. According to experts, death toll is increasing every day and if the government does not take effective measures in this regard, the number of deaths will increase.
It is commendable that the government has taken initiatives to supply electricity to all homes across the country by 2021. As a result, power lines are expanding rapidly.
In 2009, there were 11 million electricity consumers across the country. This year, the number of subscribers is three crore 51 lakh. That is, in the last 11 years during the Awami League government, subscribers have increased by two crore 43 lakhs.
But, investigations revealed that unplanned power distribution lines have been set up in most villages of the country where safety rules have not been ensured first.
The rural electrification board's manpower is too short to maintain these distribution lines. They do not have the manpower to guard thousands of kilometers of line across the country. As a result, this has become new 'death trap' in the villages.
Besides, there are allegations of supplying low-quality wires to provide electricity door to door. Now, fake and low quality electrical equipment are within reach. As a result fatality rates is increasing.
A general manager of the Rural Electricity Association (GM), speaking on condition of anonymity, said that a number of rules have to be followed before installing a power supply line in an area. The area has to be surveyed.
Fire service statistics show that last year, electric noise caused 7,825 small and large fires across the country, accounting for 39 percent of total fire.
According to Bangladesh Fire Service and Civil Defense (FSCD) in 2017 a total number of 364 died because of electrocution.
In 2017, the government had a record of 364 electric casualties. Although the actual death toll is several times higher. Electric accidents were the reason behind 42 percent of people who died in a fire in 2016. One of the causes of these accidents is the expansion of unpredictable electricity distribution system.
Rural electricity officials say electricity is the key condition for development in the village. For this reason, electricity is being provided in a hurry without fully complying with the rules.
For this reason, some unscrupulous people in the rural areas are using bamboo poles to take electric lines at various places, which makes the power supply extremely risky.
According to a statistics, in 2017 around 17,000 people were injured in electric accidents at various parts of the country.
When asked, Managing Director of Ozopadico, Shafiq Uddin, who is in charge of distributing electricity to the south-western region, said the faults of distribution lines was seen more in villages than in urban areas. So electricity related accidents happen more in the villages.
He claimed that the number of electric accidents in the area under Ozopadico was decreasing. Work is underway to replace the old and faulty lines.
State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid said both distribution companies and customers need to be aware to prevent electric accidents. Many distribution companies are focusing less on security in setting up lines in a bid to providing faster connectivity.
The state minister said that consumers are less aware and that the government was working to improve the distribution and distribution of electricity. Work is on to raise awareness too. Initiatives have been taken to set up smart grids, which will help prevent accidents, he said.
