A field assistant of Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (TANGEDCO), Walajapet was electrocuted to death when he climbed up a transformer to carry out work near Walajapet on Wednesday.
According to police, Sampath (32), a resident of Ozhugur, Walajapet taluk along with another TANGEDCO staff had gone to carry out work at the transformer at V.C. Mottur. There was total power shutdown in Walajapet for monthly maintenance work at the sub-station.
The duo had gone to the transformer for back feeding power to Walajapet Judicial Magistrate court, a TANGEDCO official said.
“As there was a shutdown at Walajapet, we had to supply power to the court. When power supply from a sub-station is suspended, we can take up back feeding of power for the particular area from another sub-station.
In this time, the power should be switched off on the line,” he explained.
The staff had gone for back feeding power from the Ranipet electricity sub-station to the line supplying power for the court at about 11 a.m. Police said they had contacted the Junior Engineer to confirm if power supply in this line was turned off so that they can carry on with the work.
Following the engineer’s response that the power was turned off, Sampath had climbed on the transformer, while his colleague waited below. Within seconds, he was electrocuted to death, Walajapet police said.
The TANGEDCO official said he was yet to receive a written report on the incident.
“We have received oral communication that the field assistant was electrocuted when he had gone for back feeding power. We will be able to ascertain what had happened only after receiving a report,” he said.
The Walajapet police have registered a case and are investigating.
