The faltering power supply system in the Roh Power Sub Station area shows no signs of improvement. While consumers are troubled by power cuts in the scorching heat, farmers are equally distressed. With the lack of rain, farmers’ dependence on electricity has increased. However, the lack of uninterrupted power supply forces farmers to make significant efforts to save paddy straw.
Impact on Paddy Planting
Farmers are unable to plant paddy due to the lack of electricity. Unannounced power cuts lasting several hours are affecting villages around the block headquarters. Consumers report receiving electricity for only 10-12 hours within a 24-hour period, resulting in drinking water issues in the villages as people fetch water from distant hand pumps. Despite demands for a solution from higher officials of the electricity department, the power supply remains unimproved. Electricians often cite reasons like 33 KVA breakdowns, faults, load shedding, and overloading for the power cuts.
Challenges for Small Entrepreneurs
Small electricity-based entrepreneurs in Roh face significant problems. People engaged in catering businesses are also struggling with 8-10 hours of electricity per day. Consumers like Pawan Kumar, Vikas Kumar, Kuldeep Prasad, Akshay Kumar, and Navneet Kumar report frequent nighttime power failures. When questioned, electricians blame overload and supply rotation for the power cuts. Frustrated consumers have demanded uninterrupted power supply from higher authorities, but the issue persists. Consumers allege that during power cuts, power substation personnel do not respond to phone calls, with the government number often in flight mode or busy.
Public Representatives Silent on the Crisis
Villagers complain that public representatives remain silent on the ongoing electricity crisis in Roh. Despite promises to provide relief and assurances to install a 10 MVA transformer and strengthen the 33 KVA power incoming, all promises remain unfulfilled. This has left the general public suffering.
Unannounced Power Cuts
Unannounced power cuts have become a major problem in villages around the block headquarters. Consumers face continuous power cuts for hours over the past few days, with 8-10 hour daily cuts making life miserable in the heat. These cuts cause daytime frustration and sleepless nights, along with a drinking water crisis. Consumers like Rajeev and small electricity-based entrepreneurs like Hasat Kumar, Manoj Saav, and Manish Kumar struggle without electricity.