Ranchi: An electricity pole with a broken base is leaning precariously over a footpath on Kokar-Khelgaon stretch of NH-33 posing danger to pedestrians and schoolchildren but authorities concerned continue to look the other way.

The condition of the pole, located on the opposite of Cheshire Home turn at Kokar road near Surendranath Centenary School, is such that it could collapse any day.

On May 10, a 11-year-old boy was crushed to death when an electricity pole fell on him at Katkamsandi in Hazaribagh.

"I have been seeing this tilted pole for at least two weeks now. Every time a vehicle passes through this stretch, it starts shaking vigorously causing sparks in the wires," said a shopkeeper.

Local resident Vijay Kumar said a big disaster was waiting to happen.

"There are two big schools in this area and hundreds of children walk through this spot daily. This apart, hundreds of big and small vehicles cross ply on the road. Imagine what will happen if the pole falls during peak hours. Authorities must take note of it immediately and replace the pole," he said but couldn't reply why he hadn't approached the local power officials to lodge a complaint.

S.N. Choudhary, power department executive engineer of Kokar area, feigned ignorance. "No one ever complained about it," he said and added that the pole was possibly damaged after being hit by a vehicle. "I will get it checked and replaced soon," he assured.