Bidar:Over 100 acres of sugarcane crop have been gutted in fire triggered by short circuits from sagging electricity wires in Bidar district in just 20 days, sparking outrage among farmers over alleged negligence by GESCOM officials.In the last 20 days alone, sugarcane cultivated on more than 100 acres belonging to over 26 farmers has been completely reduced to ashes.
Farmers said that last year too, nearly 225 acres of sugarcane were destroyed in similar electrical mishaps. Despite repeated tragedies, no preventive steps have been taken by the power utility, they alleged.The standing crop, which was ready for harvest, was destroyed within seconds.
What should have reached the market has now turned to ash, leaving farmers in deep financial distress.Farmers blamed low-hanging power lines passing over agricultural fields for the disaster. The wires are sagging so low that they are almost within hand’s reach. During strong winds, the wires collide with each other or come into contact with the tall sugarcane crop, leading to short circuits and instant fire.
The blaze spreads rapidly across the field, leaving no time to control it.The loss is estimated to be worth lakhs of rupees. Most farmers had taken loans to cultivate the crop and are now worried about repayment. “The crop we grew with loans was burnt before our eyes,” a farmer Ashok Kumar said.Farmers also complained that despite suffering losses due to departmental negligence, they have not received proper compensation from GESCOM. Last year’s losses were also not compensated, they claimed.Farmer leader Vitthal Reddy demanded immediate action, saying, “GESCOM must provide compensation to affected farmers and repair the dangerously sagging wires over fields. Officials should inspect all such risky lines and take precautionary measures to prevent such incidents in future.”However, farmers allege that GESCOM officials continue to turn a blind eye to their complaints, further fueling anger among the agrarian community.
