Bhubaneswar, 23rd Aug 2025: A high-voltage electric transformer has been installed near a Durga Puja pandal in Umarkot, Ward No. 9, Santoshi Nagar, Nabarangpur district, causing concern among local residents. Despite repeated complaints over the past four years, the transformer has not been relocated.
Municipal Executive Officer Alok Kumar Anugulia and Assistant Engineer of the Electricity Department Asit Kumar Patra visited the site. They acknowledged that the transformer needs to be moved immediately, though no specific timeline for the action has been announced.
Residents of Santoshi Nagar have been celebrating Durga Puja here since 2017. During the festival, large crowds gather daily, raising fears of potential accidents if the transformer sparks. Since 2022, local councilors and residents have repeatedly demanded its relocation, but no action has been taken.
With the upcoming Durga Puja, residents have urged the District Collector to intervene and ensure the safety of festival-goers by resolving the issue promptly.