Incident Overview
An unusual safety scare unfolded in the Tirupati region late Tuesday night when a man from Karnataka climbed a 220 kV high‑tension electricity tower near Guruwaraju Palli, in the Renigunta area. The event, witnessed by local residents in the early hours of the morning, caused widespread concern as power supply to the surrounding area was halted while authorities attempted to manage the dangerous situation. The man eventually fell into a police‑set trap and sustained head injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, and investigators are looking into the motive behind the act.
Timeline and Actions Taken
Around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, villagers spotted a person climbing the tall transmission tower and immediately alerted authorities. Given the height and the risk to public safety, officers and fire personnel deliberated for some time before attempting a controlled intervention. Energy officials cut 220 kV power to the area to reduce the risk of electrocution and to create safer conditions for rescue efforts. As the situation unfolded, the climber appeared to be speaking on a mobile phone, exchanging words with someone, which authorities say added to the complexity of the operation.
With the tower secured and the power cut in place, a plan was executed to bring the person down safely. Police teams established a makeshift containment net below the tower to catch him in case he slipped or jumped. After a tense standoff, the man did jump down but was immediately restrained by the nets and rescue personnel. He sustained head injuries and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, where his condition was described as being under medical supervision.
Who Is the Man?
Renigunta Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Srinivasa Rao identified the climber as a resident of Chikmagalur district in Karnataka, known locally as Shiva. Officials said the man earns a living as an areca farmer and is a father to three children. He had reportedly arrived in the Tirumala region with friends to seek the blessings of Tirumala Shrir Venkateswara. After missing a return train from Tirumala, he allegedly consumed alcohol, and investigators are probing whether this sequence of events contributed to his decision to climb the tower. A formal inquiry is underway to determine precise motives and whether any other factors played a role.
As of now, authorities have not released a definitive statement on whether he had any connections to others or whether mental health factors were involved. The investigation is progressing, with officials collecting statements from witnesses and examining the timeline of events surrounding his ascent and descent.
Public Safety and Official Response
The incident highlights the dangers posed by high‑voltage infrastructure near populated areas. Following the scare, security around critical electrical installations has been reevaluated, and extra precautions are being taken to prevent similar occurrences. Local authorities stressed the importance of keeping away from such installations and urged the public to report any suspicious activity promptly. The district administration and electricity department coordinated to ensure the tower and surrounding lines were de‑energized safely during the rescue, and normal service was restored only after the area was deemed safe.
Motive, Next Steps, and Community Impact
At present, investigators are piecing together a clear picture of why the individual climbed the tower. The combination of a missed train, alcohol consumption, and the urgency to return to routine life seems to have contributed to an impulsive act. Officials said the person’s welfare is being monitored, and family members have been notified. A fuller report will be issued after medical updates and a formal interrogation of the climber, along with witnesses, is completed.
Key Takeaways
This incident underscores the unpredictable and potentially dangerous actions that can occur in and around major pilgrimage sites when tensions run high or expectations go unmet. It also reinforces the importance of rapid, coordinated responses from police, fire services, and electrical authorities to safeguard both the public and critical infrastructure. Pilgrims and visitors are reminded to stay within designated safety areas and to seek help from authorities if they encounter any hazardous situations.
