Chandrapur: A routine power restoration exercise in the buffer forest of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve turned into a tense ordeal after a tiger appeared near an MSEDCL work site, forcing workers to take shelter atop power poles for nearly an hour before they could safely resume work.The incident occurred near Phulzari village in Mul taluka, where MSEDCL personnel had been repairing electricity infrastructure damaged by strong winds and heavy rain earlier this week. Two power poles had collapsed, disrupting supply, and a team of seven to eight workers was sent into the forest to string wires after the poles were re-erected a day earlier.While the wiring work was in progress, a lineman spotted a tiger — locally known as ‘Mama’ — moving silently through the area.
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Realising the danger, he immediately alerted colleagues. Four workers climbed onto two electricity poles for safety, while the remaining workers retreated to a tractor and moved to a safer distance.The tiger continued to roam the area for nearly an hour, “forcing” the workers to stay atop the poles. It wasa only after the animal returned to forest, the workers climbed down and informed senior officials, following which MSEDCL engineers and forest protection personnel reached the site.Video of the wiremen taking shelter on poles as the tiger was prowling around has gone viral on social media.Despite the frightening encounter, the workers completed the wiring work and restored power supply before leaving the area, junior engineer Ujwane said.
