Eight labourers killed as construction machine hits power line in Rajasthan
Five workers were injured after a gravel-mixing machine touched an overhead high-tension wire in Jhunjhunu district on Monday.
Eight labourers died and five others were injured after a gravel-mixing machine touched an overhead high-tension power line in Chhapoli village, Rajasthan, on Monday, according to The New Indian Express. The accident occurred in the Udaipurwati police station area while workers were building a narrow road connecting Chhapoli and Kadamkund through public participation.
Udaipurwati Station House Officer (SHO) Rampal said the machine came into contact with the overhead line, causing electric current to pass through the equipment and electrocute the workers. All eight deceased labourers were local residents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased person, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000 each. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma ordered a high-level inquiry and asked the district collector for a detailed report.
Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said preliminary information suggests the roadwork was being carried out privately on a small scale. He stated that technical officials have been directed to inspect the site and that action will be taken if any departmental or technical lapse is found.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded an investigation to fix responsibility and urged the state to provide adequate assistance. Former MLA Rajendra Gudha, who visited the site, demanded compensation and government jobs for the families of the deceased.