Eight labourers electrocuted in Rajasthan road construction accident
Five workers were injured after a gravel-mixing machine touched a high-tension power line in Jhunjhunu district.
Eight labourers died and five others were injured on Monday after a machine used for road construction touched an overhead high-tension power line in Chhapoli village, Rajasthan, according to The New Indian Express.
The accident occurred in the Jhunjhunu district under the Udaipurwati police station limits while workers were building a narrow road connecting Chhapoli and Kadamkund through public participation.
Udaipurwati Station House Officer Rampal said the machine, which was mixing gravel, made contact with the overhead wire, causing electricity to pass through the equipment and electrocute the workers. All eight deceased were local residents.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has ordered a high-level inquiry and requested a detailed report from the district collector. Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar said technical officials have been directed to inspect the site and stated that action would be taken if any departmental or technical lapse is found.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot demanded an investigation to fix responsibility and urged the state to provide adequate assistance to the families. Former MLA Rajendra Gudha also visited the site and called for government jobs for the families of the deceased.