Living In The Dark: Several Odisha Villages Yet To Get Power Connection

Rayagada: Despite tall claims of Odisha government, people in several remote areas of the State continue to fight darkness. Several households in Chandrapur area of Rayagada district are yet to get power connection which is adversely affecting their day-to-day life.

The residents of Brahagada village were ecstatic when installation work of electricity poles and meters began in the region a couple of years back. After basic ground work and installation of electric poles, power was supplied for a month but it was reportedly snapped a year back owing to several reasons. Similar is the case at Pokura village.

“The poles which were installed have got damaged. We have not seen electricity for the last one year,” said Bhakti Nath, a resident of Brahagada village.

“We are facing difficulties; children are the worst affected as they are unable to study properly,” said Anita, a resident of Pokura village.

There are several other villages in Rayagada district including Maduma, Kurumuguda and Gurlagudi where power supply is still a distant dream for the people. Though authorities frequently visit the areas and make promises of providing power connectivity, the reality is totally different on the ground as things are yet to change, said a local.

Due to lack of power connectivity, villagers are also facing problems in travelling at night as the roads are not in good condition in the region.

In the name of road construction, the local contractor has taken away sand for which the electric poles are now hanging precariously, alleged locals.

Southco Junior Engineer, Satyajit Rakesh Sahu, on the other hand, said, “The work to provide electricity supply has already started and poles have been installed.”