Kurnool: A schoolboy had a narrow escape in Ashok Nagar after an electric pole suddenly collapsed onto the road on Tuesday morning, causing live wires to fall dangerously close to him. The incident has raised serious concerns over public safety during civic infrastructure works in residential areas.
According to officials, the boy was walking to school when the electric pole gave way unexpectedly, snapping several live wires that scattered across the road. The child reportedly noticed the danger and turned back immediately, narrowly avoiding what could have been a fatal accident.
Local residents expressed alarm over the incident and said the situation could have ended in tragedy if the boy had taken a few more steps forward.
Civic work blamed for weakening pole
Authorities said the Kurnool Municipal Corporation (KMC) had recently undertaken drainage construction in the locality. As part of the work, the road in the area had been dug up to lay drainage infrastructure.
Officials suspect that the excavation carried out during the construction may have weakened the foundation of the electric pole, making it unstable.
Over time, the compromised base likely caused the pole to lose balance and collapse onto the road without warning.
The fall of the pole led to several live electrical wires snapping and spreading across the street, creating a highly dangerous situation for pedestrians and motorists.
Residents of the area said the infrastructure work had been ongoing for several days and that they had already expressed concerns about safety risks caused by the excavation.
Child reacts quickly, avoids tragedy
The schoolboy, who was walking alone at the time, reportedly sensed something unusual moments before the pole collapsed.
Witnesses said the boy turned back quickly after noticing the danger, preventing him from stepping into the area where the live wires fell.
Local residents said that if the child had moved slightly closer to the pole at the moment it collapsed, he could have been electrocuted.
The incident has sparked concern among parents and residents in the neighbourhood about the safety of children and pedestrians during ongoing civic works.
Minister orders immediate action
The incident drew the attention of Industries and Food Processing Minister T G Bharath, who directed officials to take immediate action and ensure accountability for the lapse.
Following the minister’s instructions, officials rushed to the site and cordoned off the area to prevent public access.
Emergency measures were also taken to manage the live wires and restore safety in the area.
Authorities said necessary steps were initiated to ensure that no further risk was posed to residents or commuters passing through the stretch.
Inquiry launched against officials and contractor
Kurnool Municipal Corporation Commissioner P Vishwanath confirmed that an inquiry has been initiated into the incident following a complaint from TRANSCO officials.
As an initial step, show-cause notices have been issued to two municipal officials for alleged negligence related to the civic work.
The commissioner also stated that a police complaint has been filed against the contractor responsible for the drainage project.
The complaint seeks criminal action against the contractor for allegedly violating contract conditions and failing to ensure safety during the excavation work.
Officials said further action will depend on the findings of the inquiry.
Residents demand stricter safety checks
Residents of the area have demanded stricter safety measures during infrastructure works to prevent similar incidents in the future.
They pointed out that drainage and road construction projects are often carried out in busy residential areas where children, elderly people and pedestrians frequently pass through.
Local community members urged authorities to ensure that proper inspections are conducted before and during excavation work, especially when electrical poles and other critical infrastructure are located nearby.
Experts say that poor coordination between civic authorities, contractors and utility agencies can sometimes lead to such safety hazards.
Conclusion
The collapse of the electric pole in Ashok Nagar has highlighted the risks associated with poorly monitored civic infrastructure projects. While the schoolboy’s quick reaction helped avert a possible tragedy, the incident has raised questions about safety practices during construction works.
Authorities have launched an inquiry and initiated action against officials and the contractor involved. Residents hope the investigation will lead to stricter safety standards to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.