Electricity poles and sagging power lines near the settlement of Dungkarling chiwog at Phuntshothang Gewog in Samdrup Jongkhar are causing inconveniences to the residents. According to them, on windy days, the power lines trigger sparks when it comes in contact with the areca nut trees posing threat to the residents. They want the Bhutan Power Corporation to realign the power lines and poles.
The residents did not see the looming risks of the electric poles and power lines about two decades ago. The areca nut trees were small then.
But now the trees are taller than the poles posing a risk of fire and hazard to the people during the areca nut harvesting time. The residents wrote several times to the Bhutan Power Corporation requesting the realignment but to no avail.
“It is a 50-decimal land and we have an electric pole right here. It is inconvenient to us as the areca nut trees are taller than the poles, almost crossing the electric lines. On windy days, the possibility of areca trees falling and damaging electric poles and causing threat to the people is higher,” said Pema Yangsi, a resident.
“It is especially inconvenient during the rainy season. What if the areca nut trees fall on power lines and electrocute people as the trees are very tall? We did not foresee this problem when we received the electricity connection,” said Gembo, another resident.
“My only fear is the injury and devastation the electric poles and power lines might cause to the people and infrastructure during the rainy season and on windy days,” said Jatsho, a resident.
On the other hand, the Bhutan Power Corporation officials in Samdrup Jongkhar said the pandemic delayed the plan to realign the electric poles and power lines. However, the work has been awarded to a contractor which is expected to start soon.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sonam Pem
