The Government electrification programme has been delayed at many places in the State reportedly due to an alleged autocratic attitude of a contractual company, for which common people have suffered and departmental officers have become a worried lot.

Even, the Government is being forced to pay more interest on its loan incurred for the purpose.

According to information, the Tata Projects Limited has violated all norms set for electrification projects undertaken by it. Works of grid substations at Baimundi and Kiakata under the Dhamara area and Dashapalla grid substation are moving at a snail’s pace. While locals have expressed strong resentments, several appraisals of departmental officers and complaints by the Power Construction Employees’ Association have remained futile only.

While both the Union and State Governments have introduced many schemes to ensure uninterrupted power supply and short out low voltage problem, grid substations are being constructed for easy transmission of power to both rural and urban areas.

Accordingly, the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) had invited tender for grid substations and transmission lines at Dhamra, Dashapalla and Kaikata. Letter of Agreement (LOA) had been issued to the Tata Projects for the three projects in January 2018 and the company had to complete the grid substation works within two years as per the tender conditions. But one-third of the work has not been completed even as the scheduled two-year time is going to end soon. While 28 per cent of Dhamara grid station has been done, less than 10 per cent has been done at Dashapalla and less than half done at Kiakata. As a result, power connection in nearby areas of Dhamra and rural area under Dashapalla and Phulbani has been delayed.

While locals have expressed unhappiness, the Government is bearing extra expenditure towards interest payment as the projects have been undertaking with JICA funds.

Notably, the Government has targeted to connect electricity to all households by March 21, 2020. For this, schemes like Odisha Distribution System Strengthening Project (ODSSP), State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS), Biju Gram Jyoti Yojana (BGJY), BSVY, ODAFFA  and Saubhagya Yojana have been introduced by the Union and State Governments.

However, the OPTCL is in trouble now by giving project works to a national-level firm. The Tata Projects has not even submitted its project licence. The firm got the works despite lacking experience and skilled work force. Besides the three projects, the company has also undertaken GIS substation work under the State Capital Region Improvement in Power System (SCRIPS) in violation of all CVC norms. The Power Construction Employees’ Association has opposed it.

It seems the dismal situation of 1998 is going to be repeated this time too. The company might quit the work halfway, apprehended the association.