Interview with Shakti Sinha,Principal Secretary (Power)

Have you written to the civic agencies highlighting this concern?

We have written,we always do. But again we are talking about tens and thousands of houses that have come up over the years. Most wires were there before the houses came up. Delhi has to deal with a peculiar geography and demographics.

Discoms say the problem of exposed live wires exist due to rampant power thefts. Do you think power theft is a major issue?

No,I don’t think power theft is a big issue anymore. Over the past 15 years,the problem of power theft has reduced by over 90 per cent.

How do you explain the recent cases of electrocution?

In these cases,it is a live wire that people came in contact with. When the wire carries a full load of electricity,it becomes heavier and,hence,hangs a bit low. Legally,it is the responsibility of the MCDs.

Who is to be held responsible if people continue to die after coming in contact with loose,open wires?

There should be no loose,open or live wires anywhere in the city. If the discoms are responsible for leaving a loose wire,they should be booked. In the case of the man who was electrocuted in Green Park market after coming into contact with a live wire of an AC unit,it was the shopkeeper’s responsibility. It is very unfortunate that someone loses his life because of another’s callousness.