UP Schools Under Threat: High‑Tension Wires Overhead Prompt Urgent Action

In a move that underscores growing concerns over school safety, Uttar Pradesh’s Basic Education Department has issued a stern warning to Basic Shiksha Adhikaris (BSAs) across 11 districts. The officials were instructed to expedite the removal of high‑tension power lines that continue to hover over government primary and upper‑primary schools.

During a review meeting held on Saturday, Director of Basic Education Anil Bhushan Chaturvedi made it clear that the matter must be taken up with the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) as a top priority. “Very soon no school will have this issue,” he said, adding that senior officials in the power department are already being pressed for swift action.

The directive comes after Hindustan Times reported that nearly two‑lakh students enrolled in 3,890 government schools are still exposed to the danger of 11,000‑volt lines dangling above classrooms and playgrounds. The figures are a stark reminder that, despite a statewide clean‑up launched after a tragic incident in Balrampur in 2019, the problem persists.

Back in July 2019, a snapped high‑tension wire fell on a primary school in Utraula tehsil, Balrampur, injuring 55 children. That disaster spurred a comprehensive survey to identify schools with overhead lines. At the start of the current financial year, the survey flagged 9,009 schools. Thanks to removal efforts, that number has already dropped to 3,890, but the department says the work is far from over.

Prayagraj tops the list with 270 affected schools, followed closely by Jaunpur (267) and Basti (227). Other districts grappling with the issue include Azamgarh (172), Ghazipur (169), Sonbhadra (156), Siddharthnagar (136), Jhansi (119), Raebareli (116), Fatehpur (115) and Ballia (102).

Officials stress that the presence of high‑tension wires above school premises creates a real risk of accidents, from electrocution to falling debris. “There is a possibility of accidents,” an unnamed official noted, echoing the concerns of parents and teachers alike.

The department has now tasked the BSAs to coordinate closely with UPPCL, ensuring that any remaining wires are either relocated or dismantled. While the exact timeline remains fluid, the message is clear: student safety cannot wait.