Bhubaneswar: Tribals in Odisha’s southern region forcibly shut down a power plant. The tribals were agitating under the banner United Tribal Federation in support of their 8 point charter of demands.
Hundreds of tribals living in and around Macchakund Hydro Power Station in Koraput district of Odisha shut down the power station plunging the area into darkness.
The tribals were protesting against privatisation of Anakdeli health centre. The Macchakund Power Station authority was running the health centre till now.
The tribals marched into the plant area of Machhakund Hydro Power Station Wednesday morning and wanted a written assurance from the authority in support of their demands. When there was no response from the authority, the tribals forcibly closed the shutter of the D-dam power gate. Four of the 6 units of the power plant shut down as water flow to the turbine stopped.
The 120 MW(3X 23+ 3×17) hydro power plant is a joint venture between the Odisha government and the Andhra Pradesh government. Power from this 65 year old power plant is being shared by Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in the ratio of 30: 70.
