Southco officials blame Energy dept, OPTCL

BERHAMPUR: The Southern Electricity Supply Company (Southco) on Tuesday put the blame on higher authorities of Energy department and OPTCL for the mishap at Mendrajpur chowk within Golanthara police limits in which 10 people travelling in a bus were electrocuted to death. The discom officials said electricity poles in the area have been lying in dilapidated condition and no steps were taken by the department to repair them nor were funds allocated for the purpose.

Despite repeated appeals, not a single meeting has been conducted by the Energy department and OPTCL with regards to maintenance of electricity infrastructure in the last five years. Instead, the staff have been strictly directed to focus on revenue collection, which goes to OPTCL,