DHBVN orders removal of hazardous power poles in south Haryana

DHBVN Issues New Safety Directives for Electricity Poles

The Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) has issued new directions to remove dangerous electricity poles from roads and fix low-hanging power lines in its operational areas.

Agencies will have 15 days to pay for the shifting costs. If they do not, work costing up to ₹5 lakh will be done urgently and the costs will be added to power bills.

This initiative, announced by DHBVN managing director Vikram Singh, aims to enhance public safety and reduce road accidents, according to officials.

Singh noted that road widening projects and construction have placed several electricity poles on main roads, creating serious risks for motorists and pedestrians.

At many sites, agencies were supposed to shift these poles after paying the required costs, but this process is still pending, officials said.

Officials warned that these poles, especially at night and in fog, greatly increase the risk of accidents. Ongoing road construction has also reduced the clearance of overhead electricity lines, raising the risk of electrocution and other incidents.

Sub-divisional officers (SDO) in the area will identify these locations. “The SDO will regularly survey roads to find unsafe poles and low-hanging lines,” Singh stated.

The SDO will prepare a cost estimate and seek approval from the competent authority to relocate poles as needed. “Notices will be sent to concerned agencies — including the National Highways Authority of India, Public Works Department, municipal corporation, marketing boards, and gram panchayats — to deposit the required amount within 15 days,” he added.

If the amount is not deposited within this time, the SDO will carry out work costing up to ₹5 lakh in the public interest. The costs will be added to the department’s electricity bill.

For work exceeding ₹5 lakh, the executive engineer (operation) will act as the nodal officer and will manage the matter through meetings. Such work will only begin after the deposit is received, officials noted.

The directive also requires strict documentation and monitoring. Before-and-after photos and videos with date, time, and geo-location will be mandatory. SDOs must ensure that GIS mapping of affected infrastructure is updated.

Superintending engineers and executive engineers will conduct reviews every two weeks and submit progress reports to the chief engineer (operation). These reports will be reviewed in the quarterly meeting of the whole-time directors (WTDs).

All officers have been instructed to ensure strict compliance with the new safety guidelines, officials added.