Ask citizens, referring to police investigations in the Israr Khan case that have excluded any action to clean up the mesh of cable wires still draping the airspace over commuters
On March 22, Israr Khan was riding on the WEH near Andheri when an overhead cable wire snapped, and came flying down to slit his throat. He died, while the pillion rider, Ram Bhavan Pal, survived with minor injuries. The bike was dragged along for 50 metres before it halted.
ADVERTISEMENT
Even as the police investigate the responsibility of local cable operators, who hook up wires at a venture without bothering for safety covers, residents feel a more pressing question needs to be answered. Why has no action been taken regarding the remaining wires?
There are other tangles suspended from street light poles along the WEH, weaving over and around billboards and buildings, spanning the breadth of the road.
Khan Mohammed Salim, a senior citizen who resides near the accident site, said, “The police have come asking all sorts of questions, but have they not noticed the other wires?
Are they waiting for another such accident to take them down?” Even the service road below has not been spared, with a jumble of wires from the highway suspended over trees.
Speaking to MiD DAY, Zameel Ahmed Khan, Israr’s brother, said, “The wires should be removed and relayed underground so that they do not pose a threat to motorists. I do not want anyone else to suffer the same misfortune that befell my brother.”u00a0