By SANTOSH MOHANTY
Villagers of Surendrapur under Khinda gram panchayat in Angul district have demanded diversion of high tension electric lines which goes over the football field.
They alleged that the lives of budding football players of the village are at risk as most of the time the vicinity of the football field remain charged due to high flow of current overhead. Players said they get electric shocks while playing football during rainy season. ' The spectators who gather near the field to enjoy village tournaments during rain often complained that their umbrella sticks get charged with electricity.
Even they fear to lift their arms to cheer up the players. Therefore, most prefer not to come near the field during rain for fear of their lives', the football players said.
The district administration, however, is surprisingly not aware of this danger. A sum of Rs 3,00,284 was spent during 2020-21 under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme(MGNREGS) for upgradation of the existing football field despite the lurking danger of high voltage electricity. Official sources said that the administration is planning to set up the upcoming village stadium at the place near the high voltage electric transmission tower that crosses the football field.
If this is true, then the administration will be held responsible for the calamity that might occur in the future due to proximity of 133 KV high voltage electricity tower, office bearers of a number of football clubs of the area alleged. They said the administration must take necessary step to divert the transmission lines for the safety of footballers of the region. The administration cannot ignore the risk and health hazard of the football players, they said and added that it is high time that a decision to the end must be taken.
