SRINAGAR: Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has expressed condolences over the tragic death of a youth, Zulkadar Khan, 24, who suffered a fatal electric shock on December 14 in Kursoo Rajbagh. Zulqadar, a resident of a resident of Jagtiyal in Haihama, was engaged by M/S Gopikrishna Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, a turnkey contractor working under the RDSS scheme.
According to reports, Zulkadar was working on transformer repairs, a task outsourced by KPDCL. It is alleged that after repairing a transformer, he was summoned to fix it again while it was live. This led to the fatal incident. Zulkadar was initially taken to a Modern Hospital, which is nearby, and later transferred to SMHS Hospital, where he was declared brought dead. Shockingly, neither KPDCL nor the contractor reportedly accompanied him to the hospital.
Zulkadar had been engaged in the work just a few months ago and was planning to get married in early 2025. His death has sparked calls for accountability and safety in outsourced operations.
The family alleges that the young man who was the sole bread earner was “killed” as he was pushed to work on a live transformer without any protection. They also alleged that they brought him and nobody from his company or KPCDL accompanied him.
In response, the Chief Engineer (Distribution-KPDCL) has formed a high-level committee to investigate the incident thoroughly. The committee, comprising the Superintending Engineer O&M Circle 2nd Srinagar, Executive Engineer ED 2nd Srinagar, and Assistant Executive Engineer of Sub Division Rajbagh, has been tasked with submitting a detailed report within three days.
KPDCL’s statement expressed sorrow for the incident, but the absence of proper safety measures and support for the worker has raised concerns about the management of outsourced projects and worker welfare. The findings of the investigation are expected to shed light on the sequence of events and responsibility for the tragedy.
