Malkangiri: The powerhouse building of the Balimela hydroelectric project in Malkangiri district has developed cracks. Even though the administration is aware of the development it appears to be dead silent on the matter.
The hydropower project which is around 50 years old is now almost in ruins due to lack of maintenance. Many cracks have developed in several areas of the powerhouse building.
Reacting on this, the DGM of Balimela powerhouse, SSP Rao said, “We have already informed the Collector in writing about the cracks in the powerhouse building. As I hold charge of only power generation I do not know about the cracks. Our civil engineering department is aware of it.”
Interestingly, despite having information, the department head and the district administration are refusing to act on the issue. The Balimela hydropower project is a profit making unit of the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd, which makes crores every month.
It was learnt that there is a stone crusher unit just 600 metres away from the powerhouse, and it is said to be responsible for the cracks. Blasts conducted by the crusher firm have damaged the powerhouse building.
The decision of the district administration to allow a stone crusher unit near a hydropower project building has raised many eyebrows.
PNN