Residents of 3 panchayats up the ante against power cut woes in Dhenkanal

Resentment over power cuts continues to grow across Odisha. Angry over disruption in power supply, scores of people from three panchayats in Dhenkanal district staged a road-blocking agitation on Saturday.

As per reports, the residents of Belatikiri, Kaimati and Nagiapakhi staged the demonstration by blocking the road at Kaimati under Sadar police limits today. Road communication and vehicular movement between Dhenkanal-Kapilash and Gondia panchayat have been badly affected due to the agitation.

Several vehicles reportedly remained stranded on the road due to the blockade. The residents alleged that they are facing severe inconvenience due to frequent power disruptions.

Though a proposal was mooted way back in 2014 for setting up of a structure for ensuring uninterrupted power supply, it has not materialised yet. The project has failed to take off owing to the alleged apathy on part of the administrative officials and officers of the power department. As a result, there is power cut for long hours whenever rain and thunderstorm activities occur in the area.

“We do not know why the structure for 33 kv has not been completed. Today, the residents are staging a peaceful demonstration to press for their demand,” said Belatikiri sarpanch, Balabhadra Samal.