Holika hazard: Bonfires near electric poles pose a threat

Lucknow: Like every year, bonfires for

Holika

dahan, set up around electric poles are posing a major hazard for passersby. With few days left for the festival, logs of wood could be seen at places very close to overhead cables. The city has as many as 3,121 designated spots for holika dahan.

TOI visited Udaiganj, Hussainganj, Cantt, Ruchi Khand, Alambagh, Station Road, Jopling Road, Mahanagar, Wireless crossing, Nishatganj, Vipul Khand, Daliganj and found a major threat of fire. Residents also explained their fear and police inaction despite complaints of removing bonfires from the places of risk.

Rahul Lakhwani, a resident of Jopling road, said that we have been running from one office to another but neither LDA, LMC nor police are taking any action.

Suresh Sonkar, a esident of Gomtinagar, said that he has seen people have installed bonfires just behind a school. “Despite being an holiday, it is dangerous as bonfires are touching the overhead cables and may lead to fire,” he added.

District magistrate Kaushal Raj Sharma he said that he has directed police and LESA officials to shift bonfires to safe places.

Chief Engineer of Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration (LESA) Madhukar Verma said, “we are working on the plan.”

SSP Lucknow Kalanidhi Naithani told TOI that he has directed the fire department to be ready for the day.”