Work on to restore power supply in cyclone-hit parts of AP

Andhra Pradesh power utilities are striving to restore in a phased manner the power supply in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts that was disrupted due to the devastation caused by cyclone 'Hudhud', a senior official said today.
Energy Secretary Ajay Jain said, so far three 220 KV sub-stations, six 132 KV sub-stations, fifteen 33/11 KV sub-stations are charged and it is expected to charge another eighteen sub-stations by late night.
"Supply was also restored for 33 feeders in Visakhapatnam district," he said.
The official had earlier said two 400 KV sub-stations, ten 220 KV sub-stations, twenty-five 132 KV sub-stations were severely hit by the cyclone on last Sunday in which around 20,000 poles were either broken or damaged.

Supply had been restored to Gajuwaka in Visakhapatnam yesterday and power supply to hospitals, drinking water supply and railway traction was also extended last evening, he said, adding, "Till now, we have been able to extend 12 per cent power supply to entire Visakhapatnam district and about 20 per cent in Visakhapatnam city."
Efforts are on to bring power to Pendurthy-Garividi line (since lot of devastation has taken place wherein four towers were collapsed) which helps to restore power to some parts of Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts on priority basis with in 48 hours, he said.
"Local public are cooperating with the department officials in all affected areas and all out efforts are being made to restore power supply to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Vizag Air Port by tomorrow evening," Jain added.

As a long-term measure, underground cable network is being contemplated for Visakhapatnam city (which is selected as a smart city), which costs about Rs 500 to 600 crore, as informed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his meeting at Visakhapatnam Collectorate yesterday and request has been forwarded to World Bank in this regard, a release from State Energy Conservation Mission quoted Jain as saying.