Bhubaneswar: Power is likely to be complete restored in Bhubaneswar by May 12, after which the restoration exercise will start in Puri, which bore the brunt of cyclone Fani.
Power has totally been restored in Palashpalli, Aerodrome, New Forest Park, Forest Park, VIP Enclave, Unit 6, and Airport quarters areas of Bhubaneswar and some parts of Patia, Chandrasekharpur and Sailashree Vihar too.
According to a senior government official, 60 per cent of Bhubaneswar is expected to get back power by midnight on Thursday. Work is on 24×7 after power officials got hold of portable LED lights.
SK Singh, secretary, Information & Public Relations Department, said complete restoration of power in Bhubaneswar was likely by May 12. He said power was likely to be restored in 80 per cent of the city by May 10.
Restoration of power in Puri would take time because of large-scale damage there. Singh said it would start from May 12.
The cyclonic storm, Fani, damaged five 400 KV towers, twenty-seven 220KV towers, twenty-one 130 KV towers and four 220KV grids at Chandaka, Bidanasi, Samagra and Mendhasala, and four 132KV grids in Puri, Nimapada, Mancheswar and Ransinghpur. Also, 5030km of 33KV lines, 38,613km of 11KV lines, 11,077 distribution transformers and 79,485km of LT lines have been damaged.
Cash Is King
Cash remains the mode of transaction for people in the city as point of sale card machines are still down because of network errors.
App Cabs Back
Ola and Uber have resumed services.
Extortionists Held
Three men and two women were arrested in Bhubaneswar for extorting poor people in Bhubaneswar. They were selling water for Rs 300 a bottle and providing generators at Rs 3,000 for 15 minutes. Also, four NGOs have been blacklisted for illegal activities.
Sunstroke
Three electricians suffered sunstroke and one a power shock while restoring electricity near Chandaka. The condition of the latter is said to be critical.
A Sincere Plea
Government officials are working hard in the scorching sun to restore power and water services. Residents are requested to cook extra and provide food to those working near their homes, or at least some cold water. Let’s co-operate for a better smart city.
