Abhiram Panda, a distinguished senior engineer and former Chairman of the Odisha State Electricity Board, breathed his last at his residence in BJB Nagar. He was 100 years old.
Born on January 14, 1926, in Chelia village of Mayurbhanj district, Panda was a brilliant student who secured the first position in the first class in B.Sc. from Ravenshaw College. He later obtained his engineering degree from the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore.
He served the Odisha State Electricity Board with distinction and retired as its Chairman in 1984. Known for his dedication and philanthropic nature, Panda was widely respected for his sense of duty and service to society.
His demise has cast a pall of gloom over the local area. At the time of his passing, his son, daughter-in-law, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren were present by his side.
“It is with profound grief that I inform everyone that Shri Abhiram Panda, former Chairman of the Odisha State Electricity Board (OSEB), passed away yesterday evening. He was 100 years old. Shri Panda had made huge contributions to the power sector in the state. Under his visionary leadership, the Balimela and Upper Indravati power houses were successfully constructed. He was also instrumental in building many 220 kV lines, including the important Talcher–Joda line, as well as the 132 kV Jajpur–Balasore line. He was truly a legendary figure in the power sector of the country — a dedicated engineer, a pioneering administrator, and an inspiration to all of us who worked with him. May his soul rest in eternal peace, wrote Er. B. C. Jena, Ex-Chairman, Gridco.
