Koraput, Jun 19: Despite frequent political attention and being the subject of boundary disputes, the villagers of Kotia Panchayat in Odisha’s Koraput district continue to live in darkness.

In villages like Suliamari, Katraguda, Gumelpadar, and Talakanti under Pottangi block, basic infrastructure like electricity remains a distant dream. Even today, villagers depend on kerosene lamps (dibiri) to survive during the night. The homemakers cook their meals, children study with the help of those debris.

Residents, many of whom have been living in these hilly regions for over a century, express deep frustration as they said, government schemes have never reached them. Solar power connections, provided earlier, have been non-functional for the last five years.

Despite multiple petitions -- addressed to local Sarpanchs, MLA, and officials from the electricity department-- the situation remains unchanged. The community feels abandoned by previous governments and claims that a lack of strong political will has stalled progress.

What makes this situation more dire is Kotia’s prominence in political narratives. The region has often been in the news due to jurisdictional conflicts and promises of development, yet basic necessities remain unmet. The villagers point out the irony of being at the center of political debates, while development stays out of reach.

Now, hopes are pinned on the newly elected Mohan government, with villagers urging swift action to deliver on long-overdue promises. They believe that bringing electricity to their homes isn’t just about infrastructure--it’s about dignity, opportunity, and being treated as equal citizens.

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