Ironically, large parts of the undivided Koraput still languish in darkness even though the district produces 70 per cent of the total electricity produced in the State with Balimela hydropower project producing 510 MW, Upper Kolab hydropower project 320 MW, Upper Indravati project 600 MW, Machhakund hydropower project 114.75 MW and Minakshi hydropower project 37 MW.
Moreover, the Government has proposed to set up a 10 MW project at Hatipathar in Rayagada district, 20 MW Saheed laxman Nayak minor hydro-power project on Machhakund river and a 25 MW project in Koraput district. Another 18 MW hydro-power project has also been proposed to be set up at Jalaput.
At a time, when this part contributes for more than 50 percent of the State’s power needs, it is still deemed as the most backward region where a large number of villages are yet to get power supply.
In a review meeting held at the Upper Kolab Power House guest house last year, Energy Minister Arun Sahu had expressed unhappiness over the slow pace of implementation of several rural electrification programmes in Koraput, Rayagada and Malkangiri and Nabarangpur districts. He had also directed the concerned Departments to complete the task by the end of 2012-13 fiscal, but in vain.
The Koraput district power committee had also condemned the lack of coordination among the concerned Departments to keep up the pace of Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) and Biju Gramya Jyoti Yojana (BGJY) during a meeting two months back.
Recently, a review meet was held by Koraput district administration to initiate the phase II work of RGGVY. At the meet, it was revealed that 1,331 villages in the district were yet to get power supply.
locals alleged that rural electrification schemes are being carried out in a haphazard manner due to lack of concern by the officials. Privatisation of power sector has added to the sufferings of the people here, they rued.