Nandapur The residents were displaced after giving up their land for the Machkund Hydro Power Project, which requires the Jolaput Reservoir for water storage. While some were resettled in Malkangiri, those who remained received no support or benefits. Despite the government’s emphasis on providing education, healthcare, and electricity services to rural areas, 14 villages under 7 panchayats in Nandapur block of Koraput district still remain without electricity, causing widespread dissatisfaction. Even today, villagers are living by the light of oil lamps. Elected representatives from these 7 panchayats, along with the 14 affected villages, have voiced their frustration, stating that even after 77 years of independence, they remain deprived of basic electricity services.
According to available information, the Jolaput Reservoir became operational in 1955 to supply water for electricity generation at the Machkund Hydro Power Project. Despite their displacement to the surrounding areas of the reservoir, villagers claim the electricity department, along with district and state administration, have left them in the dark.
The 14 villages — Lamaduru, Buneiput, Gayalput, Alangulput, Muktiaamba, Purunapani, Sobhaput Talasahi, Majhiguda, Malichhak, Bhaluguda, Doraguda, Damunijhola, Kantaguda, and Gunjiguda — under 7 panchayats located near the Andhra border and Jolaput Reservoir, still lack electricity connection. Villagers are forced to live in darkness after sunset. Despite repeated visits from the Koraput MP, Pottangi MLA Ramachandra Kadam, and officials from block and district administrations, no concrete steps have been taken to ensure electricity access.
In various Panchayat and public hearings, elected representatives, including the 7 sarpanches, have submitted both verbal and written complaints regarding the issue. However, villagers claim the district administration and TPWODL (Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution Ltd.) continue to ignore their demands.
When asked, Nandapur BDO Durgaprasad Dora said he would discuss the electricity connection issue of these 14 villages with the District Collector and TPWODL officials. Meanwhile, TPWODL SDO (Sunabeda) Gopal Pradhan and Nandapur Engineer Prabhu Mallik stated that a survey of the 14 villages would be conducted, and the report would be sent to higher authorities. If the project is approved and funded, electricity connections will be provided to all affected villages.