As temperatures soar across Odisha, the state government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure residents enjoy reliable electricity even during the peak summer months.Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, on Friday, chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the Energy Department’s preparedness for the summer season. He issued clear directives to officials: maintain normal power supply at all costs and prevent any disruption during the intense heat.The department has already ramped up efforts to meet the anticipated surge in power demand. In April so far, the state has successfully handled a maximum demand of 6087 MW. Officials are projecting a peak of 6200 MW in May and 6100 MW in June. Notably, April’s demand has already risen by 2% compared to the same period last year.To strengthen supply, the government has held discussions with the Odisha Hydro Power Corporation (OHPC) to maximise hydropower generation during peak hours. Coordination with thermal power plants has been intensified, while power banking arrangements have been finalised. Plans are also underway to procure an additional 50 to 100 MW from RSP (Rourkela Steel Plant), with further purchases arranged through the Power Exchange as needed.In a major boost for consumer convenience, the Energy Department has significantly upgraded its customer service infrastructure. The call centre capacity has been increased from 100 to 150 logins per day. New user-friendly features, such as missed calls and single-click facilities, now allow consumers to receive instant updates on power outages. Complaints can be registered easily via IVRS, website, mobile app, or self-service portals. Advance notifications about scheduled power cuts are being proactively shared through social media, SMS, WhatsApp, and local announcements.Addressing the meeting, Deputy CM Singh Deo emphasised swift action on all complaints and instructed officials to remain extra vigilant during the heatwave. In a people-friendly move, he explicitly directed that no domestic household consumers should face power disconnection for unpaid bills during this scorching summer period.Senior officials present at the review included Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Vishal Kumar Dev, CMD OPTCL Bhaskar Jyoti Sharma, MD GRIDCO Satya Priya Rath, along with CEOs of DISCOMs and senior officers from GRIDCO, OPTCL, and OHPC.With these comprehensive measures in place, the Odisha government aims to deliver a smooth and hassle-free summer for its citizens, ensuring that essential services and daily life continue without the worry of power cuts.
