Transformers located at different areas of capital stand without protective fencing or boundary wall resulting in accidents . Telegraph pictures

Bhubnaeswar, May 8: More than 35 transformers along the Rasulgarh-Ravi Talkies Square stretch of NH-203 stand right on the road edge posing a threat to traffic.

Moreover, some of these transformers are without a protective fence or boundary wall. Traffic officials admitted that accidents, especially at night, take place on this stretch.

“We have requested the authorities to shift the transformers to ensure safe traffic movement. Not only the transformers, but also the electrical poles and wires criss-crossing overhead are disturbing. However, our repeated pleas have fallen on deaf ears,’’ said a senior traffic officer.

The spot near Bomikhal from the Rasulgarh end, where the first transformer is located, has seen more than 10 accidents a year. Though it has a protective wall around it, heavy vehicles hit it quite often at night. Impact of the accidents can be seen on the damaged wall.

Asim Kanungo, a retired engineer of the Bomikhal area, said: “The NH and the electric supply utility authorities should act in sync. A transformer opposite our local Maa Santoshi Temple is right on the footpath and another after the Ekamra Talkies also lies on the footpath. Unless they are relocated, people will continue to suffer.’’

The electrical installations near the road divider pose a much greater danger. Some of the transformers, like the one at the road joining Jharpada, are located at crucial junctions.

Councillor of ward No. 49 Amaresh Jena pointed at several transformers, which are lying open near the Chintamanishwar area on the Cuttack-Puri Road with two petrol pumps nearby. “Authorities of the Central Electricity Supply Utility (CESU) and the NH, Orissa, should act immediately to relocate the structures,’’ he said.

While one transformer is near the Chintamaniswar petrol pump, another is near the Lewis Road petrol pump. On the other hand, transformers are also placed in open environment near the Puri bus stop at Museum Square, autorickshaw stand opposite Kalinga Ashok and in front of the Bata showroom opposite the road going to Kalpana Talkies.

Local resident of Ravi Talkies Square area Sanjay said the Cuttack-Puri Road is long neglected and even after declaration of the NH-203, the expansion work is not properly made. Once the expansion work is taken up quickly, then translocation of the electrical installations can be easy.

Asked about the transformers and other installations with possible danger on the Rasulgarh-Ravi Talkies stretch, senior CESU official Basudev Mahakud said: “Already the power utility has given a proposal to relocate the installations to safer place for Rs 1 crore. I have requested the authorities concerned of the NH, Orissa, but nothing is happening. Once they come up with the deposit, then only we can work on the shifting.”

A senior engineer of the public works department admitted the positioning of electric, telephone poles and even passing of sewerage line and their translocation is included in the cost of the road. “So unless the authorities in-charge of roads pay the public utilities their charge, the shifting is not possible,’’ he said.

Chief engineer of the NH, Orissa, B.C. Pradhan said: “There is a plan to shift the dangerous electrical installations on the NH-203 stretch. As the National Highway Authorities of India is not going to invest in expansion of the Rasulgarh-Samantarapur expansion plan, we have to arrange funds for the expansion of the stretch between Rasulgarh and Ravi Talkies.’’

Already the expansion between Ravi Talkies and Samantarapur is in process and we have paid the CESU authorities for the relocation of the electrical installations on that stretch. “The relocation between Rasulgarh and Ravi Talkies will be carried out later,” he said.

Admitting that relocation plan by the CESU has become a costly affair, another senior engineer of the NH, Orissa, said: “The CESU authorities are charging almost the amount same as laying a new line while relocating an old structure. So once adequate funds are available, we will ask them to do the relocation work.’’