A 17-year-old boy, identified as Noufal, died due to electrocution in North Chennai’s Thiruvottiyur on July 2. The accident occurred on Peer Pailwan Sha Khadari Street, where there was heavy waterlogging due to rains earlier that day.
According to Noufal’s father, Althaf, “The boy was electrocuted around 8:30 pm when he was returning home from tuition classes. There was previous damage to the wiring, but it was paved over carelessly. As soon as he entered the water, he was electrocuted.”
Noufal’s neighbours attempted to rescue him using wooden planks, after which he rushed to Periyasamy clinic in Thiruvottiyur. He was sent to the Sugam Hospital from the clinic, where he was declared dead. His body was then sent to the Stanley Government Hospital for a post-mortem. “His pulse was reducing while we were rushing him. It was all over by the time we reached the hospital,” Althaf said.
Residents told TNM that the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) was unresponsive to calls after the incident and that the water remained dangerous for at least half an hour even after Noufal was struck.
“When the boy fell unconscious in the water, people did not know what to do. The water was knee-high, and no one could go in. Many were frozen in horror and crying,” said Ameera, a resident. “How can a government servant not answer their phone when it keeps ringing for half an hour?” she also demanded.
Power fluctuations are common in the neighbourhood, residents said. There were similar fluctuations on the day Noufal died as well, they added.
Residents also accused the TNEB of negligence despite recurring complaints. The repeated digging up of roads for maintenance work had led to many broken underground wires, they further alleged.
Lillykutti, a resident, says that there was an incident a year ago when electric sparks had started from an underground wire in front of their house after similar waterlogging. “There was a CNG-powered [Compressed Natural Gas] auto rickshaw parked in the water as sparks started. We were scared there would be a fire, and the auto driver moved his vehicle. Electricity-related issues are regular here.”
They had to relocate the gate of their home due to electric shocks on the ground, Lillykutti also said.
Rahmat Bi, a resident of the nearby Thyagarayapuram 10th Cross Street, also had a similar concern after the area was dug up for laying pipes last month.
Electric junction boxes on the street are left open with wires coming out. Residents say that despite their fears, TNEB officials are unresponsive to their complaints. They also alleged that TNEB officials promise to send someone to inspect the matter but never do.
“I hear sounds from inside the box when fluctuations happen. On July 1, there were repeated power cuts. Each time we heard sounds from inside the box. When it rains, the wires are exposed, and water goes into the box. Children playing on the streets could be electrocuted. Animals often go inside the junction box and are killed,” said Rehna, another resident.
Following Noufal’s death, residents gathered on the Thiruvottiyur highway in protest on the night of July 2. An FIR has been filed with the H8 Thiruvottiyur police station. A case has been filed under sections
At the TNEB office in Kaladipet, TNM was told that the assistant executive engineer had gone on leave. Other staff declined to comment on the tragedy.