Over 20 electricity poles damaged by truck in Chikkabanavara, 6,000 houses without power

BENGALURU: Over 20 electricity poles collapsed on the Chikkabanavara-Hesaraghatta main road in the wee hours on Saturday due to the negligence of a tipper truck driver, who was said to have dozed off behind the wheel.

The incident occurred around 1.30 am on Saturday when the driver of the M-sand-laden truck reportedly fell asleep while driving. At this moment, a power line got stuck to the top of the truck, but he drove on without realising that it was a live wire, and caused a major disaster. Over 20 electricity poles were damaged in the process.

The poles fell on the main road in Chikkabanavara, and the road was filled with M-sand from the truck. An excavator was later used to clear the road. Fortunately, there was no loss of life.

The truck driver, Maniyan, who caused the accident, has been taken into custody by the Chikkabanavara traffic police. As many as over 6,000 houses had to go without power due to the incident. If the electicity poles had fallen on houses, it could have caused human casualties, but it was a narrow escape for the residents.