ROURKELA: Even as the State Government on Wednesday assured that there will be no power cut till May 20, Rourkela seems to be an exception. While mercury hovered between 45 degree Celsius and 46 degree Celsius on Thursday, people in many areas in the City experienced long spell of power cuts. Power distribution company, WESCO, though, attributed the power disruption to system breakdown or maintenance work.
Almost all the areas under Rourkela Municipal Corporation (RMC) limits are witnessing two to four hours of power cut in the morning and evening. The power cut is for a longer period in some areas. Satyajit Sahu, a resident of Vedvyas, said there was no power supply from 8 am to 11 am on Thursday due to maintenance of 11 KV lines. On normal days, residents of the area face unscheduled power cut from 9 am to 10 am, 3 pm to 4 pm and 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. At daily market area, there was power cut from 6.30 am to 8.30 am.
Uditnagar is the worst affected with WESCO resorting to power cut from 5 am to 11 am for shifting of electric posts to pave way for road widening. The power cut will continue for the next five days.
Similarly, localities near the railway station experienced three to four hours of power disruption after power supply cables were burnt.
WESCO authorities cited increased use of air-conditioners as a major factor for erratic power supply.
WESCO Superintending Engineer (SE) P Sahu said the RMC limits consume about 85 Mega Watt (MW) daily and there is no power cut.
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