Baripada: Protesting against unscheduled power cuts, civil society organisations (CSOs) and the people at large observed an Udala bandh today disrupting normal life in the town.
The agitators blocked the Udala jail and high school road, disrupting vehicular movement on the roads connecting Udala to Baripada and Baleswar. Besides, shops and other business establishments at Udala market and various offices also remained closed.
The locals alleged that unscheduled power cuts have been making life miserable for the people in Udala town and nearby villages for the last few days. Among the many problems faced by the people due to frequent power outages is an acute water crisis. Even after repeated appeals, no concrete steps have been taken by the electricity officials or the district administration so far to sort out the issue.
The people of Udala decided to take to the streets after electricity supply remained cut off for six to seven hours on August 23 and 24. “We have apprised electricity officials of the issue several times, but in vain,” said a villager.