Building roof being cast while 11,000-volt electric poles are in place

A multi-storey building is being constructed in Joypur Bazar of Phulbaria Upazila of Mymensingh with an 11,000-volt electric pole. The ground floor roof has already been cast and the ground floor has been reinforced. This incident has created discontent among the locals and they have raised concerns about accidents and the responsibility of the electricity department.

Locals said that Saudi expatriate Zakir Hossain, under the supervision of his father Lal Mia, has bought an acre of land adjacent to the boundary wall of the Joypur Government Primary School and started constructing a multi-storey commercial building there. An 11,000-volt transmission line has come from the Achim Bazar Rural Electricity Substation through the pole next to the land.

Locals have alleged that the safety risk has increased if the ground floor roof is cast while 11,000-volt electric poles are in place. Some have warned that even a minor accident could lead to a major disaster.

Building owner Lal Mia said that no permission was taken in advance as it would cost more time and money to go to the electricity office for any work. He said, “The electricity office has not prohibited it either. In the future, an application will be made to remove the poles.”

Shakil Bhuiyan, AGM of the Sub-Zonal Office, on behalf of the Rural Electricity Department, said that the site has been inspected and a ban has been imposed on the construction of the building until the poles are removed. He could not explain why monitoring was not done when the work started.

Nishith Kumar Karmakar, DGM of the Phulbaria Zonal Office, said, “It was not right to construct the building without removing the poles or informing the electricity department. The matter is now known. Necessary action will be taken.”

The incident has raised security concerns among locals and also raised questions about the supervision of the electricity department.