Normalcy Returning In Power, Telecommunication Facilities In Puri & Bhubaneswar

New Delhi: Power and telecommunication facilities are slowly and gradually limping back to normal in Cyclone Fani-ravaged Puri and Bhubaneswar.

A Press Information Bureau (PIB) release, quoting Odisha Government said that the situation in eight out of the total nine affected districts has improved and power and telecom services are gradually picking up in the worst-affected areas of Puri and Bhubaneswar.

About 3500 gang men are engaged in restoration of power transmission lines, sub-stations etc. and more workers will be arriving from West Bengal and Telengana. Landline telephone services in Puri have started functioning and BSNL and other telecom service providers have also somewhat improved their mobile services, said PIB.

The State Government, in coordination with the Centre, has prepared a detailed plan identifying priority areas for restoration of power and telecom facilities in Puri and Bhubaneswar. Water supply in urban and rural areas has been restored to a large extent with the help of diesel generator sets.

The National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC), under the Cabinet Secretary P. K. Sinha today reviewed the rescue and relief measures in the cyclone-affected areas of Odisha.

Odisha Government also informed that it had received additional financial assistance of Rs 1,000 crore released by the Centre.

Department of Telecommunications is coordinating with the State Government and all telecom service providers to implement a priority plan for quick restoration of mobile and internet services in the affected areas of Odisha.

While banking services have also resumed in Puri, non-availability of power and telecom connectivity was hampering the functioning of some ATMs.

Railways have commenced partial operations between Khurda Road and Puri by running three Express/Mail trains on the route. Full restoration would be done by May 12. Railways is also providing free transportation to workmen deployed for restoration of power infrastructure.

Reviewing the relief measures, Cabinet Secretary asked officials of the State and Centre to focus on implementation of the priority plans prepared for restoration of power and telecommunications in Puri and Bhubaneswar and monitor progress on a day-to-day basis. On the request of Odisha, he further directed that a central team may visit the state soon to assess the extent of damage caused by the cyclone.

Chief Secretary and other senior officers of Odisha participated in the NCMC meeting through video conference. Senior officers from Ministries of Home Affairs, Power, Telecommunications, Railways and NDMA also attended the meeting.