By TC News Desk
Agartala, 31st July 2024 : A major fire broke out at the main branch of the Agartala Post Office following an explosion in an electrical transformer. The incident took place around 11 AM when post office employees heard a loud noise and saw flames emanating from the transformer.
Quick-thinking post office workers managed to control the fire using oxygen cylinders from within the building before the arrival of the fire brigade and electricity corporation personnel. Despite being located just a few hundred meters away, the electricity corporation workers took a considerable amount of time to reach the scene.
Firefighters who arrived later confirmed that the post office staff had successfully contained the fire, preventing it from spreading further. The incident caused significant disruption and excitement in the area, with post office operations being temporarily halted.
This incident is part of a worrying trend of transformer explosions and breakdowns in the region. Sources indicate that the electricity corporation is using outdated transformers, some as old as 25-30 years, without proper maintenance or upgrades. Despite increased power consumption, these transformers have not been replaced or renovated, leading to heightened risks.
Regular maintenance, including oil changes and checks of various components, is reportedly neglected. This negligence is attributed to a lack of accountability within the corporation, spanning from upper management to lower-level employees. As a result, such dangerous incidents continue to occur, posing a significant threat to public safety.
