Srinagar, Feb 11, KNT: A massive fire in Rakh Ara Noorbagh area of Srinagar yesterday gutted at least five residential houses, with locals blaming the incident on a short circuit caused by poorly installed smart meters and electric poles.
Residents alleged that the installation of smart meters close to second-storey windows has become a fire hazard, as these meters frequently develop snags and short circuits. They claimed the meters and poles were installed in haste, without a proper safety assessment or planning, putting lives and property at risk.
“All the poles in the affected locality are dangerously close to residential houses. These installations were done without taking necessary precautions into account,” an elderly person Ghulam Rasool Shah told the news agency Kashmir News Trust, expressing frustration over the negligence of authorities.
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The fire, which completely damaged five concrete residential houses, has raised concerns about electrical safety standards in Srinagar’s urban areas. Locals are demanding immediate intervention to review the installation process of smart meters and ensure stringent safety measures are in place.
Former District President Srinagar for Congress party, Imtiyaz Khan, urged authorities to take serious note of the incident, emphasizing the need to reassess the placement of electric poles and smart meters to prevent such tragedies in the future. [KNT]
