Brick tied to EB line causes panic

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Residents of suburban Thirunindravur these days walk with an eye on the sky while crossing Kamarajar Street in Periyar Nagar.

They do this not to admire the beauty of nature, but to stay alive. For several months, a brick tied to the overhead electrical cables passing through congested Kamarajar Street has been precariously hanging over the busy stretch and the cable could snap any time, killing whoever it touches.

A few months ago, nearly a dozen pigs were killed after the wire snapped, unable to bear the weight of the brick tied to it and fell on them.

It appears that EB engineers have tied the bricks to prevent the cables from swinging in breeze and touching each other.

“We have been afraid for the past few months that the electric cable would snap anytime and fall on us.

The electricity department employees have recklessly hung huge brick pieces to an overhead cable passing through our street and it is endangering our lives,” complained local resident Mr Jeeva. He added that even if the brick fell from that height it might cause a fatality.

“Despite several complaints, EB staff have not heeded and the control room staff (044-26342333) hang up whenever we call,” he alleged.

Residents said that the same overhead cable had killed 12 pigs a while back when it had snapped and the incident had been hushed up by the authorities.

“We fear that a similar incident might occur as the authorities have tied another brick rather than maintaining the sagging electrical cables,” said Ms Umamaheswari.

“This time it could even endanger human lives as callous EB employees refuse either to rectify the problem or find a permanent solution.”

When contacted, the area executive engineer maintained that the issue was brought to his notice only on Tuesday and action would be taken on Wednesday.