Pune: Tree Pruning Worker Seriously Injured After Contact With High-Tension Power Line in Katraj

Katraj, 8th July 2026: A 20-year-old man sustained serious injuries after coming into contact with a high-tension power line while pruning a tree near Bharati Hospital Road in Katraj on Tuesday afternoon. The victim, identified as Ritesh Suresh Nikhare, was left stranded between two branches after suffering the electric shock, triggering panic among onlookers.

The incident occurred at around 2.57 pm. According to officials, personnel from the Katraj Fire Station rushed to the spot after receiving an alert and immediately launched a rescue operation.

Firefighters climbed onto the fire engine and used a single-section ladder to reach the tree. They secured the injured man with a safety rope before carefully bringing him down. He was immediately shifted to Bharati Hospital for treatment. His condition was reported to be serious.

The rescue operation was led by Officer-in-Charge Santosh Bhilare, along with firefighters Prashant Kumbhar, Akshay Devkar, Yogesh Kumbhar, and Mayur Kate, who successfully rescued the victim despite the risks posed by the high-tension power line.

Meanwhile, it remains unclear who had authorised the tree-pruning work. As of late Tuesday evening, it had not been confirmed whether the work was being carried out on behalf of Bharati Vidyapeeth, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), the Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Company Limited (Mahatransco), or any other agency.

Police officials said no formal report regarding the incident had been received till late Tuesday evening. The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) had also not issued any official statement.

Officials familiar with the procedure said that permission from the PMC’s Garden Department is mandatory for tree pruning within city limits. In cases where trees are located close to high-tension transmission lines, such work is generally carried out by Mahatransco in accordance with prescribed safety protocols.

The incident has raised questions over whether mandatory safety norms were followed, whether the worker had been provided with appropriate protective equipment, and whether the tree-pruning work had obtained the necessary permissions. Authorities are expected to determine the circumstances under which the work was undertaken and whether any negligence was involved.