Staff Correspondent
Sri Vijaya Puram, July 15: Residents of the Baratang region received partial relief from the ongoing power crisis on Wednesday after the 500 KVA diesel generator (DG) set at Baratang Power Station was successfully restored following the installation of a diagnostic smart kit and rectification of a technical fault.
The restoration comes just a day after a large number of residents, Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) members, and local representatives staged a massive protest outside the Electricity Department office at Baratang, demanding an immediate solution to the prolonged power crisis. The demonstration was led by North & Middle Andaman Zilla Parishad Adhyaksh Mr. R. Alager Swamy, along with PRI members and villagers from several affected areas.
According to official information, a diagnostic smart kit arrived at the Baratang Power Station at around 4:00 p.m. on July 15. Technical personnel connected the kit to the DG set and a laptop to identify the fault that had rendered the generator inoperative. Engineers detected a low urea pressure error, which was successfully cleared after troubleshooting. The generator started successfully on the third attempt at approximately 7:40 p.m., restoring electricity supply up to the Adazig Pump House. The generator is currently operating with a load of around 305 kW, providing partial relief to affected consumers.
Sources said that, in an effort to restore the faulty generator at the earliest, a technical expert travelled by air to Sri Vijaya Puram carrying the diagnostic smart kit, which was subsequently transported to Baratang and installed. The successful repair enabled the generator to resume operations on Wednesday evening.
Speaking to Andaman Sheekha, Mr. R. Alager Swamy welcomed the restoration of the generator and described it as a positive outcome of the united efforts of PRI members and local residents who had participated in Tuesday’s protest. He thanked the Deputy Commissioner, the Assistant Commissioner, Rangat, officials of the Electricity Department, and all villagers and PRI representatives for their collective efforts in resolving the issue.
However, Mr. Swamy emphasized that the restoration of the existing generator was only a temporary solution. He said he would continue to press for the installation of an additional generator with sufficient capacity so that the Baratang region does not face recurring power shortages in the future.
He added that efforts are underway to hire an additional generator by Administration. A fresh tender is scheduled to be opened on July 23, after previous tender attempts failed to attract any bidders. Officials expressed hope that the additional generator would provide a more reliable and long-term solution to Baratang’s electricity requirements.
Mr. R. Alager Swamy further said that the issues raised during the Baratang protest extended beyond the immediate restoration of the faulty generator. He said the protesters had also demanded the reinstatement of the Daily Rated Mazdoors (DRMs) and linemen who had earlier been shifted from Baratang to Kadamtala, stressing that the region requires adequate technical manpower to ensure timely maintenance and uninterrupted operation of the power infrastructure. He also urged the Administration to make timely use of the land already allotted for electricity infrastructure at Kanchangarh, Survey No. 41, by constructing staff quarters and a dedicated power house. Mr. Swamy said these issues were formally raised before the Administration during the protest, and he hoped the assurances given by the authorities would soon translate into concrete action for the long-term benefit of the Baratang region.
