Korukonda: As many as 4,000 residents of Korukonda Sadar under Malkangiri district are facing frequent power outages and low voltage related issues as the substation running under SOUTHCO here is lying nonfunctional for past seven months, thanks to the negligence of officials.
According to locals, a tender had been awarded to a Nabarangpur based contractor to set up this substation. Later, the contractor subcontracted the project to another person. The substation had two transformers of 1. 6 MVA capacities each. The facility was inaugurated July 26, 2018 by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and was subsequently handed over to SOUTHCO.
That said, both of the transformers here have stopped working even before their two-year maintenance contract could lapse. Despite repeated complaints to the contractor, no action has been taken either by the contractor or SOUTHCO.
Even though the area is getting electricity directly from Balimela head office, it is not enough to meet the demand. That leads to frequent outages and low voltage issues here, locals said.
PNN