Bhubaneswar: Power supply to Odisha capital is likely to be restored fully in the next 48-72 hours with the state-run energy utility Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) putting in place Emergency Restoration System (ERS) structures in Chandaka grid.
“Following gusty winds after Cyclone Fani made landfall in Puri on May 3, a 400KV transmission tower of Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) had fallen on a 400KV tower of OPTCL, disrupting power supply from Chandka grid to the city,” said OPTCL director Uttam Kumar Samal
He said that damage to 400KV PGCIL transmission line had badly hit PGCIL’s Pandiabil grid substation.
Another 200KV transmission tower of OPTCL was also damaged in the cyclone, he added.
“Though erecting a new 400KV transmission tower will take time, we are banking on the ERS structures to restore power supply from Chandaka grid soon,” he informed.
The OPTCL has alternate power transmission structures of 220KV, which will help meet the required power supply demand of the Odisha capital, he added.
Five 400KV towers, 27 220KV towers, 21 130KV towers, 4 220KV Grids at Chandaka, Bidanasi, Samagra and Mendhasala, and 4 132KV Grid at Puri, Nimapada, Mancheswar and Ransinghpur have been damaged in the severe cyclonic storm.
Besides, 5030 km of 33 KV lines, 38613 km of 11 KV lines, 11077 distribution transformers and 79485 kms of LT lines also borne the brunt.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday assured to provide more than 2,000 workers, shift operators and staff from Energy Department for restoration of power supply in cyclone-hit Odisha.
Fulfilling the role of a good neighbour, Andhra Pradesh will be providing all possible help to Odisha, he added.
