Across several localities in Ludhiana, residents are increasingly alarmed by tree branches and dried vines that have dangerously entangled electricity poles and cables. The sight of these branches brushing against live cables has sparked concern about fire hazards, electrocution and sudden outages.
“Every time the wind picks up, sparks fly from the cables, where branches are stuck. It feels unsafe to even walk under those poles,” said Harpreet Singh, a resident of Sarabha Nagar.
Another resident from Civil Lines added, “We have complained multiple times, but the branches remain there. Children play nearby, and it worries us daily.”
Aakash from BRS Nagar said that the ridge gourd vine got dried and it’s branches got so hard and entangled in the electricity cables that it had now become hazardous. “I lodged a complaint with the Electricity Department and yesterday the employees came with a crane and pruned all branches and finally we heaved a sigh of relief,” said he.
Officials from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) acknowledged the issue and urged residents not to attempt trimming branches themselves.
“Residents must never try to prune or push entangled branches away from power cables. Treat all dangling wires as live and dangerous. The safest way is to lodge a complaint with the PSPCL, so our trained line staff can handle it,” said a PSPCL official.
Officials stressed that timely reporting helps prevent accidents and ensures faster response. Residents are strongly advised to rely on PSPCL’s maintenance teams, rather than attempting risky interventions themselves.
To directly connect with the electricity call centre, dial PSPCL’s toll-free number 1912.