No electric pole stands erect in Ganjam: Union Home Secy

Union Home Secretary Anil Goswami, who visited the cyclone affected areas of Ganjam district today, said there was no electric pole in the affected areas which is still standing erect.
Goswami went to the cyclone-hit areas and interacted with the people there, besides attending a review meeting at Chhatrapur, the district headquarters of Ganjam.
The Union Home Secretary went to Dobabandha Sahi, Berhampur University, Chhatrapur, Nolia Sahi in Gopalpur which were ravaged by cyclone Phailin.
"The power infrastructure is badly damaged, I could not see any electric pole standing erect," Goswami said.
He said the district administration has apprised him of loss to the tune of about Rs 1,550 crore in Ganjam district alone.

"The authorities of Berhampur University have submitted a memorandum. I have asked the district collector to assess the damages," he said.

"The district collector has informed that the administration would soon submit a detailed assessment of the loss," Goswami said after reviewing the situation in Ganjam district.
He said that about 2.40 lakh houses in the district have been damaged in the cyclone.
Goswami was accompanied by state home secretary Bipin Saxena and DGP Prakash Mishra during the visit.
About 1.2 crore people in 17 districts of the state have been affected by the cyclone and subsequent floods, according to the state government.

As many as 44 persons have died in the nature's fury.