A 52-year-old worker of the Power Development Department (PDD) died in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday after falling from a ladder while undertaking power restoration work. The incident occurred in the Kaloosa area.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the deceased has been identified as Muhammad Yousuf Shah, a Permanent Daily Labourer (PDL) employed at the Electric Sub Division Kaloosa. He sustained severe injuries from the fall and was initially transported to a hospital in Srinagar for treatment, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Officials from the PDD have indicated that the cause of death was not electrocution, as the power supply to the area had been deliberately switched off before the work commenced. An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) stated that Shah had slipped from the ladder, leading to his critical injuries. The department confirmed that protective gear is provided to all employees for their safety during field operations.
Further details revealed by the AEE indicated that Shah had undergone eye surgery a few months prior to the incident. Following the surgery, he had been advised to avoid duties involving live wires or operations deemed risky. The officer elaborated that the department had been restricting Shah’s work with live electrical components after his operation. The accident reportedly happened when a consumer requested assistance for a task, and Shah, while attending to it, slipped. The electricity was confirmed to be off at the time of the fall.
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety protocols in place for frontline PDD workers. Some employees have voiced issues concerning the adequacy of working conditions, particularly in challenging weather. Local residents have appealed to the administration to enhance safety measures for PDD staff who are engaged in essential services.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
