Collapse of power transmission tower damages apple trees in Shopian

Srinagar, Mar 16: The collapse of a power transmission tower in an orchard at Urpora village of south Kashmir’s Shopian district has caused a huge damage to the apple trees.

The construction work on 220 KV, from Mir Bazar Kulgam to Lasipora Pulwama, was started in 2008. The ‘Power Development Department’ (now Kashmir Power Corporation Department Ltd) had also erected the power transmission towers.

“Four days ago, the tower collapsed while the workers were connecting the transmission line and tightening it with the help of a machine. Thirty labourers had a miraculous escape,” the locals told GNS.

“In the incident, 25 apple trees got damaged,” they said. “Had the transmission tower collapsed while functioning, how much damage would have it caused. God forbid, home many precious lives would have been lost.”

“The Lieutenant Governor, Girish Chandra Murmu, Chief Secretary and Commissioner Secretary Power must order a probe into the incident,” they added.

The locals said that similar towers which are erected between Mirbazar Kulgam to Pulwama also need fresh inspection by the engineers so that no such incident takes place in future.

GNS