Power Outages In Odisha: CS Convenes Meeting For Solution, Minister Laments Fragile Infra

Bhubaneswar: With many parts of Odisha encountering frequent power outages, Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena has convened an important meeting in an effort to find a lasting solution to the problems faced in electricity distribution.

Sources said the meeting is slated to be held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Monday to discuss the issue relating to disruptions in power supply. The Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of four power distribution companies will be attending the meeting.

Besides discussing the causes behind frequent power outages, the meeting is aimed at finding solution to the problem. Power disruptions due to damage caused by nor-wester will also figure during the discussions.

It may be noted here that the Chief Secretary had expressed displeasure over tardy power restoration in Bhubaneswar after damage to infrastructure caused by nor’wester on Thursday. He had asked Tata Power to pull up, accelerate the work and ensure immediate action.

“Restoration in Bhubaneswar is extremely slow. Pl pull up and restore fast. If response to kalabaisakhi can be slow, just imagine what would happen in eventual cyclone situations? Public don’t appreciate such slow action. Request immediate action,” the Chief Secretary tweeted.

Meanwhile, Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb admitted that people are facing disruptions in electricity supply due to weak infrastructure in the power sector.

Dismissing allegations of power cuts in the state, Deb clarified that power outages are mainly caused by Nor’wester activities in different parts of the state.

“There are no power cuts. We are bound to snap power during thunderstorm activities. Recently, several parts of the state witnessed Nor’wester and electricity poles got uprooted under the impact of strong winds. Reinstalling the poles and wires is time-consuming affair. It cannot be done instantly,” he said.

This apart, transformers and wires get burnt due to overloading which is a major challenge, the Minister said, adding that power outages are mainly due to lack of infrastructure.

Though there is surplus power in the state, consumers are facing difficulty in getting uninterrupted electricity due to poor infrastructure, he said, adding that the government is asking the power distribution companies to ensure that people get the necessary facilities.