No Power, No Water: Kailashahar’s Struggle Amidst Electricity Crisis : Villagers take to the streets as power cuts cripple water supply in Kailashahar, demanding immediate intervention from authorities.
Residents of Bir Chandra Nagar Gram Panchayat in Kailashahar Subdivision have been facing severe hardships due to a continuous power outage that has lasted for four days. Despite repeated attempts to contact the private electricity service provider, Sai Computer Limited, the villagers allege that they have been met with negligence and even abusive behavior from company officials.
The prolonged power cut has caused a major crisis in the area, including the disruption of drinking water supply, as electric pumps used for water extraction have ceased to function. As a result, the entire village is grappling with an acute shortage of drinking water, leaving the residents in distress.
Frustrated and left with no alternatives, the villagers took to the streets on Friday afternoon, blocking the Kailashahar-Kumarghat road at the Haor Bazar area of Bir Chandra Nagar. The blockade, which lasted for nearly two hours, led to massive traffic congestion, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road. Daily commuters faced significant inconveniences as a result.
The protesters, while speaking to the media, claimed areas including Ward No. 1 of Bir Chandra Nagar Gram Panchayat and neighboring localities have been without electricity for four days. Despite daily efforts to contact the service provider’s staff, the villagers allege that Sai Computer Limited officials not only ignored their complaints but also responded with derogatory remarks. Additionally, the villagers reported that phone calls to the company’s office went unanswered.
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As the blockade continued, Bir Chandra Nagar Panchayat’s pradhan Baby Rudra Pal and Upa Pradhan Sanjay Debroy arrived at the scene and engaged in discussions with the protesters. After receiving assurances from the Panchayat leaders that the issue would be promptly addressed, the villagers lifted the blockade around 5 PM. Subsequently, staff from Sai Computer Limited arrived in the affected areas and began repairs to restore electricity.
However, the power outage is not limited to Bir Chandra Nagar alone. Other areas in Kailashahar Subdivision, such as Dhanbinash, Bhagyapur, and Pechar Dhor villages, are also experiencing prolonged electricity disruptions. Moreover, the entire Kailashahar town itself has faced power cuts for the past 24 hours. On Thursday, May 15th, the town’s main marketplace was plunged into darkness, forcing residents to conduct their business under challenging conditions.
The Sai Computer Limited company, which has been responsible for power supply in the subdivision for the past five years, has consistently faced criticism for its poor service. Despite repeated complaints lodged by local residents to the state’s Power Minister and even the Chief Minister, no effective measures have been taken to address the issue.
The ongoing power crisis has also severely impacted essential services. Kanika Memorial Primary Health Center in Kailashahar has been without electricity for three consecutive days, disrupting medical care and forcing the suspension of surgical procedures. Doctors and healthcare workers are finding it increasingly difficult to attend to patients under such adverse conditions.
Local experts and community leaders are calling on the state government to take decisive action against Sai Computer Limited to address the frequent power outages and improve the overall quality of service. Public anger is escalating, with many fearing that the situation could escalate into violent protests if not resolved soon.
In a recent incident on Thursday night, angered residents reportedly attacked the local office of Sai Computer Limited in Kailashahar town. The growing dissatisfaction among the public is a clear indication of the urgent need for intervention from the authorities to restore normalcy and ensure reliable power supply.
The Kailashahar community continues to demand an efficient and accountable power distribution system. As the situation develops, residents remain hopeful that the administration will address their grievances and take concrete steps to hold the service provider accountable.
