Power infrastructure restored rapidly post Cyclone Amphan

Union Minister of Power R. K. Singh reviewed the progress of restoration of power systems post Cyclone Amphan in West Bengal and Odisha with Additional Chief Secretary Power, WB; Principal Secretary, Power, Odisha; CMDs of various DISCOMs; Secretary Power, GoI; Additional Secretary, Power, GoI; CMD, POWERGRID, and other senior officials via video-conferencing.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said that the disruption caused by the cyclone to the power systems was extensive, but the restoration work has been carried out swiftly.

He said that the Inter State Transmission System was restored within few hours and Central Power PSUs also provided human resources to carry out power restoration of local power supply in the cycloneaffected areas.

The minister has directed the Ministry of Power that apart from the manpower/assistance already made available, they should mobilise additional manpower through NTPC and POWERGRID and make them available to Power Department of West Bengal to assist them in restoration work. They will remain in touch with the State Government, West Bengal, so as to provide them whatever help is necessary.

The review meeting can be seen in the backdrop of the statement of the Ministry of Power that it had put in place adequate arrangements/ preparedness to handle the power supply situation in the wake of Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan. 24/7 Control Rooms had been set up at Bhubaneswar and Kolkata by PGCIL and NTPC. Also, PGCIL had set up a 24/7 Control Room at PGCIL Hqrs/ Manesar.

The ministry had also assured of all necessary support to state power utilities for damages, if any, to state transmission lines and other power infrastructure on account of the cyclone.

Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) (32 at 400 kV and 24 at 765 kV) along with adequate manpower had already been placed at key locations which were to be used in case any transmission tower collapsed and transmission lines were disrupted.