Union Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday said that his ministry was working in full tandem with the Andhra Pradesh government to ensure restoration of communication link in four districts of the state which were affected by Cyclone Hudhud.
"The Department of Communication is fully co-coordinating with the state government in restoring the communication link, which has been affected because of Cyclone Hudhud, which hit four districts of Andhra Pradesh," Prasad told ANI.
"There are total 11,839 Base Transceiver Station (BTS) towers, from which mobile connectivity is assured of the mobile service providers. Out of these, 4,604 have been affected very badly. We have been able to ensure that 1,300 are restored in a functional position," he said.
The Minister said that along with his department's secretary , he himself was monitoring the whole process to see that restoration of proper connectivity.
"We are monitoring the situation and the chief general manager of the Andhra Pradesh region is stationed in Vishakhapatnam, coordinating with the chief secretary in the other departments to restore proper connectivity," he added.
He also pointed out that out of 29 Telephone Exchanges affected due to cyclone in the state, at least 19 have started functioning again.
"As far as telephone exchanges are concerned 29 have been affected, of which 19 have started functioning again and we will ensure that the rest are quickly in order. It is our very earnest effort and endeavour to ensure that proper connectivity in landline and mobile is restored at the earliest," he further added.
Cyclone Hudhud, which had battered Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, severely damaged power and telecommunications and water supply, besides hitting rail lines and roads in the state. The deadly cyclone claimed at least 21 lives, even as the evacuated people have started returning to their homes.
Rescue operations are currently underway, led by the Indian Navy. Naval diving and relief teams have been deployed in various districts of the cyclone-battered Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted an aerial survey of the cyclone-affected areas in the state and visited the Collector's office in Vishakhapatnam to take stock of the situation.
