Bhandara News: A routine electricity repair operation turned tragic in Bhojapur village of Pauni tehsil, Bhandara, on Thursday morning after a 45-year-old lineman lost his life following an electric shock from an 11,000-volt power line.
The deceased has been identified as Ashwin Lonare. The accident occurred at approximately 8 am while he was reportedly engaged in electrical maintenance work in the area.
The incident has left residents deeply saddened and has also brought renewed attention to the safety precautions required during maintenance of high-voltage electricity infrastructure.
High-Voltage Current Proves Fatal
Preliminary information suggests that an electrical fault had been reported on a power line near Dhorp village along the Shedi-Somnala route.
Ashwin Lonare had gone to the Bhojapur area as part of the repair operation. During the work, he was reportedly attempting to operate an AB switch that had been switched off when he unexpectedly came into contact with the high-voltage electrical system.
He suffered a severe electric shock and collapsed at the site.
Woman Alerts Villagers After Spotting Lineman
At the time of the incident, the surrounding ground was reportedly wet. A woman passing through the area later noticed Lonare lying on the ground and immediately informed nearby residents.
Villagers rushed to help and transported him to the Rural Hospital in Pauni.
Despite efforts to provide medical treatment, doctors declared Ashwin Lonare dead.
Police and Power Department Begin Inspection
After receiving information about the accident, Pauni Police and officials from the electricity department reached the location.
The site was inspected by Executive Engineer Sameer Tekade and Deputy Executive Engineer Rajan Nimje, along with other officials.
Authorities have indicated that the precise reason behind the accident will be established after the technical and departmental investigation is completed.
Accident Raises Safety Concerns
The incident has prompted questions about the safety arrangements in place when electricity workers operate on high-voltage lines.
Residents and local citizens are seeking clarity on several aspects of the incident, including whether the power supply had been completely isolated before maintenance work began and whether the prescribed safety procedures were followed.
The availability and use of protective equipment, proper isolation of the electrical line and the procedure followed while operating the AB switch are also likely to be examined during the inquiry.
At this stage, officials have not indicated a final cause for the accident.
Family Loses Its Breadwinner
Ashwin Lonare is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.
His unexpected death has caused immense distress for the family and has cast a pall of grief over the local community.
The investigation will determine what exactly led to the fatal electric shock and whether any technical or procedural issue contributed to the accident.