Bhubaneswar: Residents from 10 villages under Ranpur block in Nayagarh district blocked National Highway 57 near Binodpada late on Saturday night, protesting frequent and unscheduled power cuts. The blockade was lifted after the intervention of local authorities.
The villagers blocked the national highway from midnight to 1 am on Sunday in front of the Binodpada electricity substation. The protest stranded vehicles on both sides of the road. People also raised the issue of drawing drinking water due to unscheduled power cuts.
“We are facing difficulties due to low voltage and power cuts. Hot and humid conditions during summer are unbearable. How can we live with frequent power cuts? Low voltage damages our electrical appliances. We need a resolution to this,” said an agitator.
Local police and energy department staff reached the spot and assured them of help. After an hour, people returned to their villages. “If the issue is not resolved, we will again hit the street,” said another agitator.
On June 10, hundreds of members under the aegis of the Electricity Consumers’ Union of Daspalla in Nayagarh district took out a procession from Mahaveer Temple to the tehsil office at Daspalla, demanding an end to frequent power cuts and low voltage in their area. Earlier, several demonstrations, road blockades, rallies, and processions were conducted across the state, protesting low voltage and unscheduled power cuts.
Earlier, Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister K V Singh Deo had attributed transformers catching fire from overloading to power cuts. He had assured steps to restore power supply in such affected areas.
