Nearly 3 die daily due to electrocution in MP; 1,100 human deaths in a year alarm MPERC

Bhopal: Nearly three people died every day due to electrocution in Madhya Pradesh in 2024-25, with the toll crossing 1,100 human lives and 1,492 animal deaths amid a surge in fatal power accidents across the state. Alarmed by the scale of deaths linked to dangling high-tension wires, snapped conductors, damaged poles and exposed transformers, the Madhya Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (MPERC) issued a series of directions to the state’s three power distribution companies after hearing a suo motu petition on electrical safety violations.

According to observations recorded by the commission, a total of 1,963 fatal electrical accidents were reported across East, West and Central discoms during the financial year. These included 1,102 human fatalities and 1,492 animal deaths, besides 329 non-fatal human accidents involving electrocution injuries.

The commission noted that several accidents occurred between May and July 2025, exposing failures in compliance with mandatory safety norms prescribed under the Central Electricity Authority (Measures Relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2023, and MPERC regulations.

West Discom recorded the highest number of human deaths at 440, along with 527 animal fatalities and 133 non-fatal accidents. East Discom reported 342 human deaths and 637 animal fatalities — the highest animal death toll among the three utilities — besides 103 non-fatal accidents. Central Discom reported 320 human deaths, 328 animal fatalities and 93 non-fatal human accidents.

MPERC observed that ageing and deteriorating infrastructure, especially in rural areas, was a major factor behind accidents involving fallen high-voltage wires, snapped conductors and damaged poles. The commission noted that while West Discom undertook replacement of 90 km of cables and installed 350 distribution transformers, East and Central discoms lacked a structured asset life cycle replacement programme.

The commission directed all discoms to adopt a proactive and preventive approach towards electrical safety and prepare a “Safety-Focused Asset Management Plan” identifying high-risk infrastructure for prioritised replacement and upgradation. It also asked utilities to replace bare conductors with insulated ones in accident-prone areas and ensure strict compliance with CEA Safety Regulations, 2023.

MPERC further directed discoms to integrate smart metering, IoT-based monitoring systems, sensor-enabled safety devices and voltage detection systems into their safety framework to reduce electrical hazards and improve protection of life and infrastructure.

GFX

MP Power Accident Toll 2024-25

Total Fatal Electrical Accidents: 1,963

Human Deaths: 1,102

Animal Deaths: 1,492

Non-fatal Human Accidents: 329

Average Human Deaths Per Day: Nearly 3

East Discom

Fatal Accidents: 979

Human Deaths: 342

Animal Deaths: 637

Non-fatal Human Accidents: 103

West Discom

Fatal Accidents: 967

Human Deaths: 440

Animal Deaths: 527

Non-fatal Human Accidents: 133

Central Discom

Fatal Accidents: 648

Human Deaths: 320

Animal Deaths: 328

Non-fatal Human Accidents: 93