MADURAI: The absence of a compound wall around the Tangedco-owned substation in Narasingam, located in Melur taluk, has raised serious safety concerns among residents, as officials have allegedly failed to take any action for several years despite repeated appeals.
According to sources, spanning over two acres, the substation, situated along the Tiruchy-Madurai stretch of National Highway 38, was built about 30 years ago.
Over time, the iron grills surrounding the site have rusted and corroded, creating a large opening that allows unrestricted public access to the high-voltage area.
Suriya Kumar, a villager, expressed surprise over the prolonged negligence by the officials.
"A strong fence is essential to prevent accidental or intentional entry, which could result in electrocution or severe injuries. Fences also keep animals away from live equipment, preventing damage and outages. It's shocking that officials failed to acknowledge the importance of fences in safeguarding Tangedco's equipment during instances of vandalism or violence, as this could lead to power outages and costly repairs," Suriya Kumar said.
Echoing similar concerns, another villager, Muniyan, said that the absence of proper fencing poses a constant threat. "Youngsters and villagers could unknowingly enter the area, risking electric shocks or fatal accidents. Luckily, no mishaps have occurred so far. Since the substation is visible from the highway, the open site is easily accessible to anyone," he added.
When contacted, a senior official from Tangedco (Madurai) acknowledged that cattle had recently strayed onto the premises.
"The issue was reported to higher authorities, following which a team from the civil engineering department inspected the site. An order has been issued to install new iron fencing at a cost of Rs 2.5 lakh. Some pending civil work inside the power house is also expected to be completed within a month," the official said.