Jaipur, Nov. 2 -- Eight labourers died and five others were injured after a machine used in road construction came into contact with an overhead high-tension electricity line in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district on Monday. The accident occurred in Chhapoli village, under the Udaipurwati police station limits, while workers were engaged in constructing a narrow road connecting Chhapoli with Kadamkund.
According to Udaipurwati SHO Rampal, the machine, being used to mix gravel, touched the overhead power line, allowing electricity to pass through the equipment and electrocuting workers at the site. Three women and two men sustained burn injuries and are undergoing treatment.
The deceased were identified as Hariram Gurjar (30), Mangalchand Gurjar (22), Kaluram Gurjar (20), Pavan Gurjar (23), Vishnu Saini (38), Suresh Saini (30), Mukesh Saini (27) and Fatehchand Saini (32).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the bereaved families and announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). The next of kin of each deceased labourer will receive Rs 2 lakh, while those injured will be given Rs 50,000. The announcement was made through a post on the PMO's official X account.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also expressed grief over the incident and ordered a high-level investigation. He sought a detailed report from the Jhunjhunu district collector and instructed officials to ensure that the injured receive immediate and appropriate medical attention.
Sharma further directed minister Jhabar Singh Kharra to visit the accident site and coordinate assistance for the affected families.
Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said preliminary information indicated that the road project was being undertaken on a small scale through private efforts with public participation. He said the construction involved a narrow stretch between Chhapoli and Kadamkund.
Nagar added that technical officials had been instructed to inspect the location and establish the circumstances behind the electrocution. He said appropriate action would follow if the investigation uncovered any departmental or technical negligence.
Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled the deaths and called for an investigation to establish the cause of the accident and fix responsibility. He urged the state government to extend adequate compensation and assistance to the victims' families.
Former MLA Rajendra Gudha, who visited the spot, demanded compensation and government employment for the families of those killed.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.