Irregularities in Electricity Connectivity in Korukonda Block of Malkangiri District

Babula Jena,Odishabarta

Malkangiri, Korukonda, August 16, 2026

Around 15 families residing in the Dangaghat Colony of Old Chitapari under Potrel Gram Panchayat of Korukonda Block in Malkangiri district have been deprived of electricity for nearly 10 years. Although the residents have submitted written complaints to the District Collector, Block Development Officer and Sarpanch seeking electricity connections, no solution has been provided so far.

Therefore, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, a village meeting was organised with the participation of Padia Padiami, Malkangiri District President of the All India Hindu Mahasabha; Mangaraj Manas Mohan Mallik, Malkangiri District Organisation Secretary; activist Narayan Sethi; Dev Padiami, village head of Chitapari Dangaghat; and other villagers.

During the meeting, the villagers discussed the difficulties they have been facing due to the absence of electricity connections. Following the discussion, an application was submitted to the Korukonda Block Development Officer, urging immediate steps to provide electricity connections to the colony.

District President Padia Madkami stated in the application that if the Dangaghat Colony is eligible under any government scheme, such as the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) or any state rural electrification scheme, the 15 families residing there should be included so that they can benefit from electricity facilities.

The availability of electricity would enable children in the village to study at night and prepare for examinations. It would also provide greater safety to women, children and elderly residents through streetlights and household lighting, protecting them from wild animals and poisonous snakes.

The Chitapari Dangaghat Colony is located only about 500 metres from Balimela town. Despite the presence of the electricity utility/TPSODL department at Balimela, the colony has still not been provided electricity connectivity.

The residents and those who raised the issue described the continued denial of electricity to these families, despite their proximity to Balimela, as unfortunate and a matter of serious concern for society.