The dilapidated pole, in front of Shivaji Residency, an apartment block, is corroded and lacks proper support. Apart from emulating the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the concrete pole’s reinforcements are exposed. The weather-beaten pole is just about supported by a cement base.
Residents say the pole has been in such a state for more than two or three years. “It has been unstable ever since a coconut tree fell on it about three years ago,” said Shrimathi, who lives in the apartment block.
New pole does nothing
Fellow resident K.K. Nair said that after continuous complaints to Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom), a new pole was erected about 10 days ago beside the old one, but no arrangements have been made to shift the overhead electric wires to the new pole. He was worried that strong winds would uproot the dilapidated pole, electrocuting passers-by.
His wife, Geeta Ravindran, complained that people were too nervous to park their cars in front of the building as they fear that the pole could come crashing down, when there are heavy showers. Another neighbour, Kamath, said there were also other electric poles on the road which have tilted.
‘There won’t be power’
Damodar, Assistant Engineer, Bescom, said they could not remove the old pole earlier as it would mean power interruption for the area for a few hours every day till the repairs are done.
“As it is a primary electric line, many other houses in the area will not receive power if there is interruption. Therefore, we decided to first erect the pole and undertake the removal of the old pole later on,” he said.
It would take a crane to remove the old pole, Mr. Damodar said.
“In my opinion, the pole in its current state is unlikely to collapse and is not a threat to residents. However, the crane will be repaired in the next two or three days, after which we will make sure the pole is removed,” he added.
