Eight panchayats in Kandhamal live in dark as main transformer goes kaput

Kandhamal: In what could pose a major challenge to the tall claims of state government on complete electrification of villages in Odisha, hundreds of people in eight panchayats under Daringibadi block of Kandhamal district have been forced to live in darkness for the past six days. Courtesy, the lackadaisical attitude of the administration to repair a transformer that went phut due to incessant rain in the area.

As per sources, people in almost eight panchayats including Brahmanigaon, Katingia, Jhinjiraguda, Tajungia, Saramuli, Kumbharigaon have been affected due to the week-long power outage. Despite repeated complaints about the burnt transformer, neither it has been repaired nor the administration has taken any step so far to replace it, alleged the villagers.

Trinath Bisoyi, a resident of Brahmanigaon said, “It’s been almost eight days, there is no electricity in our village and also neighbouring 11 panchayats. Our children are also facing difficulties while studying in schools and tuitions. We have already lodged complaints with the authority but they haven’t done anything to repair the transformer. We are living in dark.”

A few locals also alleged that they have no means to communicate with anybody as they are not able to charge their mobile phones due to power outage in the villages.

Meanwhile, the electricity department has assured that the problem would be sorted out in two days. K Chandrayana Reddy, Sub-divisional electrical engineer of Mohana said, “The transformer in the village burnt due to thunderstorm and lightning on August 16. Under the Deen Dayal Yojana, we already have a proposal to install a 5 MV transformer in the area. The matter will be resolved in a day or two and we are trying our best.”