A multi-storied building is under construction, in close proximity of a 33,000 volt electrical line at Baipail area of Ashulia, endangering residents, pedestrians, and construction workers.
While working under the high voltage electricity line, a construction worker, Nasir, was severely injured, and has been fighting for his life with burn injuries at the intensive care unit (ICU) of Enam Medical College and Hospital.
The hospital’s operation theatre (OT) in-charge Nasir Uddin confirmed the matter and said: “Nasir’s health condition can further deteriorate at any moment.”
On Sunday, Nasir was holding an iron rod that got tangled up with the live wire, throwing him off the ground, electrocuting and injuring him seriously.
Locals claim that if the construction of the building is not halted soon, there is a possibility of a major accident.
After investigating the matter, this correspondent found that Dhamshona Union Parishad Chairman Saiful Islam had started the construction work of a multi-storied building which is at a very close proximity of a 33,000 volt electrical line at Ashulia-Baipail Bus Stop area of the eponymous highway.
It is to be noted that, a few weeks ago a similar incident took place when several iron rods got tangled up with the live wire at the construction site. It has been reported that the construction workers at the time narrowly escaped a fatal accident.
Several residents in the area along with Hashem Ali, and Shafique claimed that the building under construction, despite being so near the 33,000 volt electrical line, has no safety measures.
There are no nets surrounding the construction site, they said.
They further said that there may be a major accident if iron rods get entangled with the live wire once again.
Construction workers along with pedestrians, and people in vehicles will be affected if such an untoward incident happen, they claimed.
Dhaka Palli Bidyut Samiti 1 Zonal Manager Md Azhar Ali said: “When such a building is usually constructed, there are precautionary measures taken, such as surrounding the site with a safety net. There are lesser chances of accidents that way. But, such measures have not been taken for the building constructed by the Baipail union chairman.
“There are possibilities of fatal accidents due to the 33,000 volt live wire. A construction worker is a human being. There should not be any such work which would put their lives at risk.”
“The union parishad chairman will be notified in this regard,” said Azhar.
When contacted, Dhamshona Union Parishad Chairman admitted that a construction worker met with severe burn injuries from the high voltage electrical line.
When asked about the precautionary measures at the construction site, he said that safety measures will be taken for the remainder of the construction.
