Partial power supply restored in cyclone-hit districts

Power supply was today partially restored in the cyclone-ravaged Gajapati, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boudh districts and only in Digapahandi town of Ganjam district, Southern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (Southco) said here.
Power supply was also restored to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, City Hospital and Dakhinapur water supply system in Berhampur town from Thursday, Southco said.
The distribution company also claimed to have restored and charged lines and sub stations, 35-km of 33-KV line and nine 33/11 KV primary sub-stations.
"Efforts are on to restore power supply as soon as possible in Ganjam district, which was badly hit in Cyclone Phailin with mobilisation of massive manpower and materials," Managing Director of Southco P K Choudhury said.

The private power distribution company has drawn man-power and material support from Wesco, Reliance Energy in Mumbai and Tata Steel and Central government public sector units like PGCIL, NTPC,NHPC and OHPC.
"Engineers, highly skilled technicians and labourers along with adequate materials have been pressed into round-the-clock service from October 13, a day after the cyclone hit the district," a company official said.

Restoration teams have also been dispatched to Aska, Gopalpur, Rambha, Chhatrapur, Hinjili, Bhanjanagar and some other towns of Ganjam district to ensure comprehensive restoration of power supply, Southco sources said.
The power sector in the district was totally shattered and grounded under the impact of Cyclone Phailin, sources said, adding all major industries in the district remained shut due to lack of power, including the wholesale market and jewellery shops.

"The magnitude of damage is very high. It may take a few more days to restore normal power supply," Choudhury said.
In order to ensure time-bound repair and restoration of power supply, chairman-cum-managing director Gridco, Hemant Sharma, along with senior officers, have been camping here, he added.