Karaikal Residents Urge Action on Frequent Power Outages with New Substation Demand

Quick Summary

• Frequent and prolonged power blackouts are reported in several villages under Thirunallar and Nedungadu communes in Karaikal.
• The main issue stems from the 40-year-old Surakudi power substation, which has outdated transformers and equipment prone to failures during wind or rain.
• Affected villages include Surakudi, Karukkanakudi, Sellur, Ambagarathur, nedungadu, Viluthiyur, and athipadugai. Local businesses and tourism are also being impacted considerably.
• repairs often require officials to travel from Puducherry to address faults at the substation, leading to extended unannounced outages.
• Although funding for substations was announced in Puducherry’s budget across other districts, Karaikal’s critical need for a replacement or upgrade was overlooked.
• An Electricity Department official confirmed that a proposal for upgrading the substation was submitted but is still awaiting government approval.

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The recurring power outages caused by an aging infrastructure at the Surakudi substation highlight a pressing concern for Karaikal’s energy reliability and development needs. this situation disproportionately affects residents of surrounding villages as well as local businesses relying on consistent electricity access-a fundamental component of economic growth-especially in tourist hotspots like Thirunallar.

While proposals have been submitted by relevant departments to address this problem, delays in approval risk perpetuating these disruptions further into the future. The lack of allocation for Karaikal in Puducherry’s budget raises concerns about equitable distribution of resources within Union Territories.

Upgrading essential infrastructure such as substations is not only necessary for addressing immediate issues but also pivotal for building resilience against environmental challenges like heavy winds or rains-expected increasingly due to climate variability. Timely action coudl potentially alleviate hardships faced by citizens while fostering long-term developmental opportunities across affected regions.