Eight workers electrocuted in Rajasthan road construction accident
A construction machine touched a high-tension power line in Jhunjhunu district, killing eight people and injuring five others.
Eight workers died and five others sustained burn injuries after a road construction machine made contact with an 11-kV high-tension power line in Chhapoli village, Jhunjhunu district, on Monday. The accident occurred around 10 am on a road being built between Chhapoli and Kadamkund through public contributions, according to reports from Free Press Journal, Bhaskar English and The Pioneer.
Udaipurwati station house officer (SHO) Rampal said a gravel-concrete mixer machine touched the overhead line, specifically the machine's hydraulic jack. This caused an electric current to surge through the equipment and electrocute the labourers nearby.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief and announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the dependents of each deceased worker, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000 each. President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the tragedy.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident and directed officials to provide medical treatment and assistance to the affected families. Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar stated that if any technical or departmental lapse is found, action will be taken.
Following the incident, local residents staged a protest demanding accountability and compensation. The villagers ended their sit-in after seven hours, and personnel from the Rajasthan Armed Constabulary (RAC) were deployed to the village alongside Udaipurwati police.