Reincarnating Raipur
In a remarkable display of determination and resourcefulness, officials from the Chhattisgarh State Power Company (CSPC) successfully tackled a power supply issue in a remote village of Kanker district. This particular village, Bangoghodia, located in the Pakhanjur tehsil, is nestled within dense forests and has been plagued by Naxal insurgencies. With approximately 20-30 families residing there, this community faced an unexpected power crisis when their connection to the rest of the district was severed due to damage to the temporary bridge during the monsoon season.
The situation was further complicated as constructing a permanent bridge over the seasonal river was deemed unfeasible, primarily due to opposition from Maoist groups. Undeterred by these unfavorable conditions, CSPC took it upon themselves to find a solution despite the absence of a bridge. Assistant engineers from Pakhanjur, along with the invaluable assistance of local villagers, embarked on a mission to transport a new transformer across the challenging waters of the Kotri River. Weighing in at around 350 kilograms, the transformer was an unwieldy cargo, but the available resources, including a ‘dongi’ (a small boat), proved to be sufficient for this ambitious endeavor. With road connections severed and river conditions far from ideal, crossing the river emerged as the most viable option. Under the leadership of Karpal, an assistant engineer from Pakhanjur, the team embarked on their journey. The new transformer was loaded onto the dongi and carefully navigated from the distribution center in Chhotibethiya to the opposite bank of the river. With the unwavering support of the local villagers, the transformer was then transferred onto a tractor, which transported it to the village.
The dedicated line staff of the power company swiftly replaced the faulty transformer upon arrival, ensuring a prompt restoration of the electricity supply to the isolated village. This inspiring tale exemplifies the power of determination, community cooperation, and the commitment of public servants to ensure that even in the most challenging circumstances, essential services like electricity can be provided to those in need.
