Man Dies, 14 Injured in Ganesh Pandal Electrocution

Vadodara :A man died on the spot, and 14 others were injured after they were electrocuted while erecting a Ganesha pandal at the Verai Mata temple in Dabka village, Padra Taluka, Vadodara district. The disaster occurred when an iron angle collided with the overhead high tension electricity line flowing through the pandal.

Prakash Dahyabhai Jadav, alias Sachin, 37, died on the scene, while 14 other youths were injured.

According to MR Chaudhary, police inspector at Vadu police station, the incident occurred late Tuesday night while building of the Ganesha pandal was underway. Construction was underway for a 15-foot-high pandal. When the youths were attempting to repair the iron angle on the pandal, it came into contact with the overhead high tension electricity line. While Prakash Jadav died on the scene from electrocution, 14 others were injured. A case of accidental death has been reported.

According to sources, the deceased, Prakash alias Sachin Jadav, was the second of three brothers. He ran a provision store in the village. He has a six-year-old daughter. The family is devastated by Prakash’s death.

Prakash Jadav was an accomplished cricketer who competed in competitions in the Padra taluka. Because he was a terrific batsman, he became known as Sachin Tendulkar of Padra. 

Ganeshotsav has been held at Dabka village for over 40 years. To mark the 41st Ganesh festival, Yuva Mandal’s youth were constructing a 15-foot-high pandal to house a 12-foot Ganesha statue. The pandal’s iron pole collided with an 11 KV power line in the dark, electrocuting 15 youngsters working on its construction.

The Ganesh Mandal’s chief, Maheshbhai Jadav, stated that the Youth Mandal had also rented the Ganesha idol in Vadodara. On Friday, the group members planned to travel to Vadodara to carry the Ganesha idol. However, following the late-night occurrence, the village is in grief. The congregation has now decided to commemorate the Ganesha festival by erecting a betel nut.