Naxal attack on power project exposes chinks in security

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Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2009/12/21/stories/2009122157650300.htm)
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Naxal attack on power project exposes chinks in security


Staff Reporter

It’s a wake-up call for State government and OHPC
BERHAMPUR: The naxals’ attack on the Balimela hydel project in Malkangiri district revealed the gaping loopholes in the security of hydroelectric projects in Orissa.
Theft and miscreants’ activities at hydel projects are not new. But for the first time the Maoists dared to take advantage of low security at Balimela project. Most of the hydropower manufacturing units of Orissa are now part of the Maoist-prone areas. The villages surrounding the Balimela hydel project have become stronghold of Maoists as most of them still do not have proper road communication. Security was concentrated for the power generating unit. Security was too less at the other portions of the hydel project like the ‘tunnel camp’ and the ‘valve house’, which enabled the Maoists to make them their soft target. They also succeeded in disrupting the power generation at the hydel project.
Around four years ago miscreants stole copper cables from the Indravati Hydro Electricity project. It also led to total disruption of power generation for around 16 hours. Following the incident there were proposals to increase security cover of the hydel projects in the State. Reports from the intelligence agencies also hinted that power projects are being targeted by terrorists. But the Balimela incident hints that not much security was added up.
The Orissa Hydro Power Corporation Limited (OHPC) manages seven hydroelectricity power projects in the State.

Worth of projects
These hydel projects are worth more than Rs. 18,000 crores. These hydel units have the capacity to generate around 2000 mw of power.
They also generate more than Rs. 300-crore revenue. They surely provide irrigation facility.
The naxal attack at Balimela project has revealed that several key locations of hydel projects are still guarded by a few unarmed home guards or private security personnel. At some remote places like the ‘tunnel camp’ there may be no security arrangement. The few security men who at times have only lathis as weapons are no match for the naxals threat. It is high time for the State government and the OHPC to wake up after the Balimela incident and provide a security cover to the hydel projects.


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