Hyderabad: Eight labourers died after being electrocuted while working on a road construction project in Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district on Monday, when a gravel-mixing machine came into contact with an overhead high-tension power line. Five other workers were injured in the incident, police said.
The accident occurred in Chhapoli village, where a narrow road linking Chhapoli and Kadamkund was being constructed with public participation. All eight workers who died were residents of the area, Udaipurwati Station House Officer Rampal said.
According to the SHO, the machine being used to mix gravel touched the overhead power line, allowing electricity to pass through the equipment and electrocuting the workers at the site.
The incident prompted Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to order a high-level inquiry. He sought a detailed report from the district collector and instructed officials to ensure that the injured workers received proper medical treatment. Sharma also directed Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra to visit the site and oversee assistance to the affected families.
Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said preliminary information suggested that the road construction work was being carried out privately on a small scale with public participation. Technical officials have been asked to inspect the site and determine how the machine came into contact with the power line.
Nagar said action would be taken if the inquiry found any departmental or technical lapse.
"If any departmental or technical lapse is found, action will be taken," he said.
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot also called for an investigation to establish responsibility for the accident. Expressing grief over the deaths, he urged the state government to provide adequate compensation and assistance to the families of the deceased.
Former MLA Rajendra Gudha, who visited Chhapoli, demanded compensation and government jobs for the bereaved families. (with inputs from media organisations)