People take to streets as frequent power cuts add to heat wave woes in Odisha

Despite the tall claims by the State government, particularly by the energy minister that Odisha is a power surplus State, frequent power outages have been a regular occurrence for many years.

While the government and the Opposition lock horns over the actual reason behind the power outages, it is the common man that actually has to bear the brunt, particularly during heat wave that has been sweeping the State for over a month. So much so that, the intense heat does not allow them to go out, at the same time, power cuts and low voltage issue makes it harder for them to stay indoors.

From Jagatsinghpur to Pipili, people have taken to the streets to protest these power cuts.

Locals of Itapada village under Jagatsinghpur Sadar block took to the streets on Tuesday and blocked the Jagatsinghpur-Itapada road by burning tyres.

“Power cut is a regular affair here. With this heat, the power cuts have become unbearable for us. In addition to that, there is nobody who is helping us out. Tata Power officials do not pick up the phone too. That is why we are forced to block the road,” said an Itapada local, Panchanan Lenka.

Similarly, the locals of Pipili staged a protest on Tuesday against unannounced power cuts in the area. They alleged that Tata Power cuts power for 8-10 hours every day.

Speaking about the protest, Janmejay Jena, Advisor of Delan-Pipili Janakalyan Manch, said, “We have sat here against the frequent undeclared power cuts by Tata Power. We will not get up until our demands are met.”

It is pertinent to mention here that the demand for power has increased in Odisha. As per a report, power demand for the month of April 2023 has increased by four percent as opposed to April last year. Similarly, the demand during peak hours has increased by six percent as well.

In May, there was an increase in demand by eight percent, reports stated. However, a slight increase in demand is unlikely to affect the power supply as the State government has many times claimed that Odisha is a power surplus State.

Meanwhile, Tata Power has put the blame squarely on the nor`wester rains and thunderstorms for power outages.