BJD MP Amar Patnaik Blames Tata Power For Disruption In Electricity Supply In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Amid public outrage over frequent power outage across Odisha, political parties have come down heavily on the BJD government in the state as well as Tata Power for erratic electricity supply which has made life miserable for people who are reeling under scorching heatwave.

Apart from the leaders of opposition political parties, ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Amar Patnaik on Tuesday held Tata Power responsible for the situation. He said the state is encountering such a situation because of improper load balancing.

Disruption in power supply is taking place in different parts of the state because of some gaps or shortfall in distribution which are not being reviewed and upgraded from time to time, Patnaik said.

The company needs to be properly equipped in order to respond better in case of nor’wester or thunderstorms, he said.

While there is infrastructure for power supply, the distribution companies should have a proper disaster recovery plan, the Rajya Sabha member said, adding that there should be a mechanism even to deal with minor incidents like tree-felling.

Patnaik said the disaster recovery plan should be prepared taking into account all possible scenarios. “I have not been able to see this and if Tata Power does so, they will be able to win the confidence of people as they will be able to know the time for power restoration,” the BJD MP said.

It will also enable the employees to complete the work within the specified time period. “It is surprising that Odisha government has been lauded for its disaster management globally but a private company like Tata has not been able to do it,” he said.

Meanwhile, speaking to media a senior Tata Power official said the company has taken necessary steps to prevent disruption in power supply. Following power outage in some places due to nor-wester, the company has doubled its resources and team to deal with the problem.

He said proper measures have also been taken to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the upcoming Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath in Puri.