Odisha Seeks Relaxation In NDRF Norms For Restoration Of Power Infrastructure

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government on Thursday urged the Centre for relaxation in the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) norms to provide the actual cost of restoration of the entire power infrastructure damaged by Cyclone Fani in the coastal districts.

In a letter to Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that transmission and distribution (T&D) is an integrated network consisting of Extra High Tension (EHT), High Tension (HT) & Low Tension (LT) wires. According to the present NDRF norms for the repair of the damaged power sector, assistance is given for damaged conductors, poles and transformers up to the level of 11 KV only.  Even the scale of assistance for the admissible items is highly inadequate, he pointed out.

Besides the large scale damage to 11 KV lines, distribution transformers and LT network admissible for repair and restoration under NDRF norms, extensive damage has also been caused to 220 KV/132 KV towers and transmission lines; grid sub-stations and power transformers; 33 KV poles, lines and primary sub-stations. As per the preliminary report, the extent of damage due to the cyclonic storm is estimated to be about Rs 1160 crore.

Stating that T&D companies are not in a position to finance the restoration work, the Chief Minister said as electricity is a basic necessity, the state government has undertaken the restoration of power infrastructure on war-footing from its own resources. “However, the scale of damage to the power infrastructure is far too expensive to be taken care of by the state government alone,” he noted.