PONDA: A suspected power leakage left a 32-year-old Sidhesh Naik, a powerline helper injured while working on a transformer at Sapna Town at Curti-Ponda, on Monday morning.
According to sources, Sidhesh, who sustained burn injuries to his hand in the incident, was immediately shifted to the Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim and is reported to be in a stable condition.
Another lineman Cruz Colaco, who was working on the same transformer with HT and LT overhead lines, said “As soon as Sidhesh came in contact with the live wire, I pushed him with the help of an instrument to save him. Sidhesh fell but sustained burn injuries due to the electric current.”
Cruz also sustained minor injuries.
Assistant Engineer Keshav Gaude, who reached at spot, said, “The work on converting overhead lines to underground cabling was in progress at Sapna Town at Curti. The power shut down was arranged for conducting this work. The workers were in the process of disconnecting overhead lines for connecting with the underground power cables at the transformer when the incident occurred.
Meanwhile, the Electricity Department appears clueless over sudden current leakage.
When questioned whether the incident occurred on account of the reverse current due to inverters or generators in the area, Gaude said he does not know the exact reason behind the incident and how exactly it happened but quickly added that it will be known only after proper investigation.
Executive Engineer Sudan Kunkolienkar said the lineman and helper were on duty after taking proper safety precautions. He also said the exact cause of power leakage is not known. He said he visited GMC and the injured line helper is presently out of danger.
Meanwhile, Ponda residents have expressed concern over such incidents.
Earlier a few months ago, two persons were injured at Borim and Dhavali respectively.
In April this year, a lineman was electrocuted to death at Bicholim.
Vishal Fadte, a social worker, said, “The Electricity Department needs to take more care, safety precautions and find out the root cause behind such power leakages. JE ,AE should be present while undertaking such major works.”