Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24: Various parts of the city today experienced power cut for around eight hours, causing difficulty for both city residents and traders.

The power cut was attributed to maintenance of the Mancheswar grid by Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL).

Though the Central Electricity Supply Utility (Cesu) authorities had announced the timings of the power cut through media, the city residents were finding it difficult to perform their mundane work from 8am to 4.30pm.

The areas, which were affected by the power cut, included Rasulgarh, VSS Nagar, Vani Vihar, GGP Colony, Satya Nagar and Nilkantha Nagar.

Residents alleged that though the announcement said that there would be power cut from 8am to 4pm, power was restored at some places after 5.30pm.

“We have been waiting for the power restoration from 4.30. But the power was restored after 5.30pm. As a result, we had to face a lot of difficulties,” said Satyanarayan Behera, a resident of Satya Nagar.

Hundreds of cricket lovers were spotted watching the ODI match between India and West Indies at various shops in the city in the absence electricity at their home.

“Today being a Sunday, watching the ODI match could have made the day more enjoyable. But, the power cut spoiled our day,” said Deepak Panigrahi, a resident of Rasulgarh.

A Cesu official said the power cut was because of an emergency maintenance work in the Mancheswar power grid by the OPTCL.

“This is a routine maintenance work, which is done by the OPTCL for three to four times a year. The power supply has been restored by this evening,” said a Cesu official.

Most of the major business establishments donned a deserted look because of the power cut, but the shopping malls and cinema halls were jam packed as most of the youngsters remained outside their houses.

“There was no electricity since morning. So, I, along with my friends, decided to watch a movie in the afternoon,” said Pinaki Das, an engineering student.