389 villages in interiors of Bastar without electricity connections

Jagdalpur | Correspondent: Several villages of Chhattisgarh’s Bastar are still lacking electricity leading to lives compelled in dark.

Around 389 villages within 6 districts of Bastar division does have not have power supply.

Many villages have the electricity poles installed but the supply remains absent.

Tribals dwelling in the interiors of dense forests navigate their lives here carrying torches and lanterns.

The absence of basic utility connections causes significant hardship for these communities.

Electricity for these Adivasis has become a dream, despite of several requests nothing has changed.

Despite repeated appeals to public representatives and the administration, electricity remains a distant dream for these villagers.

Although assurances have been given, no substantial action has been taken. As night falls, villagers hurriedly complete their tasks and retreat to their homes for safety.

Districts affected by power outages

Districts of Bastar division including Bastar counting 4 villages, Dantewada having 7, a total of 203 villages in tribal Bijapur, 26 in Kanker, 4 villages in Kondagaon, while 145 villages in Narayanpur lacks power supply.

Among these Bijapur, Narayanpur, and Kanker are the most-affected districts.

In Bijapur, villages such as Farasnaar, Karpe, Gartul, Arenpalli, Gundanpuri, Gundangur, Karakwada, Chipannpalli, Jaraguda, Chotekakler, Cherpalli, Pilloor, Annapur, Saafimarka, and Bhandarpaal are facing power outages.

Similarly, in Narayanpur, villages like Hikkonar, Tirkanar, Turusmeta, Hodnaar, Surewaahi, Anjrel, Temrugaanv, Boranirpi, and Kodonaar are also without electricity.

Challenges in providing electricity

The lack of electricity is a major obstacle for schoolchildren, as they are unable to study after dark due to the absence of power.

Similarly, farmers in the area are completely reliant on weather conditions for their crops.

Additionally, the villagers constantly live in fear of wild animals.

The dense forests surrounding these villages also increase the risk of snake and scorpion sightings.

Many villagers have tragically lost their lives to snakebites.

The power company explains that these villages are difficult to reach due to poor roads and ongoing Naxal activity, making it challenging to install electricity poles and transformers, which is why the region remains without power.