Residents of Upar Danga Basti, a village in the Ghatshila area, are protesting the installation of new cement electricity poles. For many years, they have used bamboo poles to hold up the electrical wires. Now, the electricity department is trying to replace the bamboo with permanent cement poles, but villagers are not happy.
The villagers say they weren’t told about the project or asked for their opinion. One resident said they’ve used bamboo poles for a long time, and no one asked if they wanted cement poles. The community is worried about where the new poles will be placed and how they will affect their daily lives. Because they received no warning, the sudden change has made many people upset and dissatisfied.
This situation shows the difficulties the electricity department faces when upgrading infrastructure in rural areas. Good communication is very important for projects to run smoothly. This protest also highlights how crucial it is to consider what local communities want and need when making changes. With proper communication, conflicts can be avoided and projects can truly benefit the community.
To move forward, the electricity department needs to listen to the villagers’ concerns and work together to find a solution. Perhaps the department can relocate the electricity poles or explain the benefits of the new infrastructure more clearly. Finding common ground is key to completing the project and providing a reliable electricity supply to Upar Danga Basti. The conflict emphasizes the critical role of community involvement in development projects.