MALDA, Dec 5: Three villages in Malda would have to go without power for at least three days because of the Special Protection Group's (SPG) directive to remove power cables from the area earmarked for the landing of the helicopter carrying Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on 7 December. Dr Singh is expected at the residence of late ABA Ghani Khan Choudhury the same morning and scheduled to spend 25 minutes there.
The State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (SEDCL) today removed all low and high-tension power cables close to the helipad at Kotwali village to facilitate the landing of the Prime Minister's helicopter on Sunday. Though this would cause three villages to plunge into darkness, power department officials pleaded helplessness, saying the cables had been removed following instructions from the inspector general, SPG, members of which reached here to ensure adequate protection for the Prime Minister.
Though the Malda district magistrate, Mr Sridhar Kumar Ghosh, has asked SEDCL to make alternative arrangements for the affected villages, the electricity department says it can't supply power before 8 December.
“In a meeting yesterday, the IG, SPG instructed us to remove the power cables for security reasons and keep the flying zone for the PM's helicopter free,” Mr DK Mondal, divisional manager, SEDCL, said in Malda.
Though Mr Mondal claimed that only 50 consumers would feel the pinch, locals said that as many as 1,500 families of 10 villages such as Daibakipur, Jotegopal, Dairathpur. Girish Colony, Doulatpur and others would go without power for the duration.
Mr Ghosh said: “It is unjustified to keep some villages in darkness for three days.” The director, state security, Mr AK Maliwal also suggested alternative power arrangement for the villages that are likely to be affected till the power cables are re-stringed.
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Porechi guru esab lekha apnader. Bhalo legeche the story. Great. HOpe you're fine. -- Amitava
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