PSTCL begins pole campaign
Kamaldeep Singh Brar
MUKTSAR/BATHINDA:

VIOLATES CODE Upgrade of infrastructure in process; trucks moving on the sly; contractors caught in action

Off to installing poles, the electricity transmission corporation has bypassed the model code of conduct for elections.
The power transmission corporation has begun upgrading its infrastructure on the sly in the Malwa region of the state.

Even with every official denying that machinery is in action, the work on the ground has hit reckless speed.

Acting on input, HT spotted trucks on the Muktsar-Malout bypass carrying electricity poles and transformers to sites.

Tracking the convoy for three days, the HT team caught the PSTCL contractors at work.

Officially, all fieldwork and movement of paraphernalia from the Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) stores is at pause till the assembly elections.

“The movement of trucks is guided from the Patiala office,” said an inside source in the transmission corporation, “and even store managers concerned are unaware.” A week ago, a truckload of electricity poles entered the Lambi assembly constituency.

Three poles were installed at Kattan Wali village before the truck moved on, say villagers.

Wires are yet to be hung on these posts. A new transmission line is being laid for a cluster of houses near Panjava village in the constituency.

On Sunday, contractors were caught replacing transmission wires between Bathinda and Balluana, with a tractor full of

cables parked nearby. New rolls and electricity poles were fitted into the energy-transmission grid serving Kot Shamir and Maur Mandi in Bathinda district, and similar paraphernalia unloaded at Talwandi Sabo and Bhagta Bhai Ka, all in the past one week, even though there’s a pause on moving the equipment since the code of conduct was imposed.
“The paraphernalia was moved on instruction from the Patiala office of the PSTCL,” said an inside source in the transmission corporation (name withheld to prevent backlash

against the officer). “Even the store manages at Muktsar and Bathinda are unaware of the movement of trucks.“
“No upgrade of the infrastructure has begun on the ground,“ Jaspal Singh, PSTCL chief engineer, west zone, said in reply to a question.

“The work on was allotted before the election code of conduct came into force,“ said director of electricity distribution Arun Kumar.

Asked, if the work could begin after the code being applied, Arun Kumar avoided making further statement.