To ward off theft attempts, PWD plans to watch vulnerable areas

New Delhi: Public Works Department (PWD) has initiated a plan of ‘watch and ward' services in areas that are prone to theft.According to the plan, teams will be deployed on main roads and underpasses to avoid this issue. In the first phase, the deployment will be from Mayapuri flyover to Motibagh flyover. The team will consist of four wiremen, two labourers, and five security guards on a shift basis from 6 am to 2 pm, and 2 pm to 10 pm for the maintenance of streetlights and poles on a one-year contract.Apart from this, there will be a special security guard deployed in one shift for LED poles and associated accessories from the Mayapuri flyover to the Moti Bagh flyover, said officials.In the past few days, several deaths due to electrocution have been reported. According to officials, open wires and missing covers of streetlight poles could pose a threat to life."There have been several incidents of theft when covers of poles, LED lights, wires, iron and aluminium items were stolen. Most of those who steal such items are petty thieves, including persons engaged in drug use. The public is at risk in the aftermath of such incidents. During the monsoon season, snapped wires can cause electrocution," a senior PWD official said.Further, PWD has also directed engineers to regularly pursue the power discoms for rectification of streetlights on top priority to avoid dark patches in the rainy season. PWD will initiate the project with the recently revamped stretch under the streetscaping project from Mayapuri flyover to Moti Bagh flyover and then expand to other spots as well.Under this project, the department will undertake the maintenance of various types of LED lights, poles and associate panels, including minor repairing of lights, rectification of cable faults, removal of block tiles, repair and replacement of digital timers, contactors, wires, thimbles, relays, and other required materials to make LED lights functional. This will illuminate the stretch to make it safe for pedestrians and prevent electrocution incidents.The stretch, which covers Dhaula Kuan, Naraina and parts of South Campus, has about 1,500 street lights, including decorative LED lights, poles, visual markers, three-layer poles and downlights.Earlier, following the increasing incidents of electrocution in the last couple of months amid rain and waterlogging, PWD had issued SOP and directions to all the road maintenance divisions to protect the street poles by covering them with tapes and raising the poles if installed in flood-prone areas.Directions were also given to install CCTV cameras in areas where there are more chances of theft. The field staff has also been directed to regularly visit their jurisdiction to ensure that there are no unprotected wires or similarhazards.