In a quiet corner of Madhya Pradesh's Chhindwara district, an unusual yet troubling question surrounds a modest home: which came first—the house or the electric pole?
For nearly three decades, Raju Kusnekar, a sanitation worker, has lived with this strange reality in Ward No. 8 of Palakhed Panchayat under Mohkhed block. What began as his dream of owning a house has turned into a striking example of administrative negligence and poor planning.
The dispute dates back to 1998, when Kusnekar received Rs 24,000 under the Indira Awas Yojana to build a house on government-allotted land. After laying the foundation, he had to leave the village briefly because of a family emergency. During his absence, officials from the electricity department installed an electric pole in the middle of the foundation of his under-construction home.
"After I returned, I was told the pole would be removed," Kusnekar recalled. Trusting the assurance, he continued with the construction. However, the promise was never fulfilled.
Today, the pole remains inside the house, posing a constant safety risk. Shifting it would cost around Rs 45,000—far more than the financial assistance he originally received. "I cannot afford to move it, nor can I rebuild my house," he said.
The danger is not just bureaucratic —it is real. Kusnekar lives in the house with his three children under a tin roof, making the situation even more risky during storms. "Whenever it rains or strong winds blow, the pole sparks. It feels like we are living under a live electric wire," he said.
The matter has now drawn the attention of local authorities. Krishna Uike, Junior Engineer at the Savari Bazaar electricity substation, acknowledged the issue and said it has been referred for further investigation.
"We are examining how the pole ended up inside the house. Further action will be taken based on directions from senior officials," Uike said.
Until then, Kusnekar's home near Bazar Chowk remains both an unusual sight and a reminder of delayed action, administrative lapses, and a problem that has remained unresolved for 28 years.
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