Frequent power outages amid intense heat and high humidity triggered protests in several parts of Odisha. Residents alleged prolonged disruptions in electricity supply and inadequate response to repeated complaints.

As temperature remain elevated across the state, consumers reported electricity interruptions lasting several hours. In some areas, residents staged demonstrations wearing saris or carrying handheld fans, while road blockades were also reported in protest against the outages.

Consumers Question Summer Preparedness

Electricity Consumers’ Association president Ramesh Satpathy questioned the preparedness of authorities to deal with increased summer demand.

“Every year, power cuts occur during the summer and the explanation given is that the system tripped due to increased load. Did the authorities not know that electricity consumption would rise during the summer months? Why were adequate preparations not made in advance? The present government made several promises, but people continue to face difficulties,” he said.

Referring to the privatisation of power distribution, Satpathy added, “The four discoms were handed over to Tata Power on the premise that services would improve. However, consumers are facing increasing problems after Tata Power took charge of all four discoms.”

Concerns Over Impact On Poultry Farms

Satpathy also raised concerns about the impact of power cuts on commercial activities, particularly poultry farming.

“When consumers approach officials seeking uninterrupted supply for households and businesses, they are often told that nothing can be done. Poultry farms are incurring losses because of power disruptions during this heatwave. There is also insufficient availability of diesel to operate backup systems. This is happening at a time when the government is speaking about self-sufficiency despite shortages in poultry and egg production,” he said.

He further alleged, “The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission had stated that Rs 20,000 crore was invested under various schemes. However, there is no visible record of such expenditure improving the situation. Demand increases during summer every year, so the present circumstances should not come as a surprise.”

Satpathy also argued that management of all four distribution companies by a single private operator should be reviewed.

“It was not appropriate to hand over all four discoms to one company. The responsibility should have been distributed among different operators,” he said.

Analyst Flags Supply Management Issues

Odisha power analyst Ananda Mohapatra claimed that electricity availability remains a concern despite the ongoing demand.

“The situation across Odisha has become difficult for consumers who are unable to manage daily life without electricity. The government and GRIDCO are not procuring 500 MW of power available from companies such as Vedanta and Jindal during this period of scarcity,” he said.

Mohapatra further alleged, “The distribution companies are not seeking the additional 500 MW from the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), and the SLDC is not allocating it either. To manage the shortfall, power supply is being curtailed at various locations.”

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The allegations come amid continuing public concern over electricity supply during the ongoing spell of hot and humid weather across Odisha.