Cuttack: The first powerhouse of Odisha, set up at Ravenshaw College (now Ravenshaw University) in 1920, has been rusting away for last several years without any restoration measure in sight.
Though the university authorities had announced to restore the powerhouse in 2011, no concrete step has been taken in this regard.
The British had established the powerhouse at Ravenshaw to generate and supply electricity to some crucial buildings of the educational institution. Sources claimed that the powerhouse was supplying electricity to the Principal’s Office, Arts and Science blocks, East and West hostels and a few streetlights on the campus.
According to sources, the British had sourced equipment from a company in Birmingham to set up the powerhouse with three generators.
The oil-fired generators were producing direct current (DC). “The British authorities were getting crude oil from Calcutta (now Kolkata) by train to run the generators,” said a source.
The powerhouse had special equipment and a well to supply water to contain the heat generated during the production of electricity. Since the facility has been lying unutilised for last several decades, the well has turned into a dwelling place for reptiles, sources said.
Ravenshaw Vice Chancellor Debdas Chhotray had announced to restore the powerhouse in 2011. However, a proposal in this regard was put on the back burner after the end of his tenure.
“The authorities concerned have forgotten about the powerhouse while celebrating the 150th anniversary of Ravenshaw recently. They should restore the powerhouse and recognise it as a heritage structure,” said a former student.
Vice-Chancellor Ishan Kumar Patro said they would try to restore the powerhouse. “I have heard about the powerhouse. I would soon visit it,” he added.