Bhubaneswar: The state government Wednesday seemed to have missed another deadline of May 15 for full restoration of power in urban as well as rural areas of Bhubaneswar. Despite the tall claims many consumers still remained without electricity by Wednesday.
The state government at a media briefing Wednesday evening admitted that there are many in Bhubaneswar region who are yet to get power around 13 days since cyclone Fani hit Odisha and interrupted the power supply in the area.
A press briefing conducted by the Information and Public Relations (I&PR) Secretary Sanjay Singh said, “In BCDD-1 area all consumers have been provided power supply by today. Out of 1,47,531 consumers of urban and rural areas of BCDD-2, electric connectivity has been restored to 1,18,778 consumers. Similarly out of 1,09,984 consumers of rural and urban areas BED, connectivity has been restored to 93,841 consumers.”
The official admitted that as a result 81 per cent of BCDD-2 and 85 per cent of BED have got power connections, clearing hinting that not all have been covered even in Bhubaneswar area making the claims of the government fall flat on the ground.
Similarly, the chances of all areas of Cuttack getting power by May 15 proved wrong as many consumers even in Cuttack are still deprived of power. The latest update shared by the department Wednesday evening said, “By Tuesday 71,867 consumers of CDD-1 have been given electricity supply which is 100 per cent. Out of 69031 consumers of CDD-2, 50000 consumers have been provided with power supply as on today. Out of 95599 rural and urban consumers of CED 48230 consumers have been provided electricity as of now.”
The government meanwhile said that there has been a remarkable development in telecommunication and mobile services. Singh said,
“Almost 74% mobile towers in districts like Khurda, 45% in Puri and 84% in Cuttack district have been made functional. Similarly, when we talk about cities 76% in Bhubaneswar, 38% in Puri and 85% in Cuttack city have been made operational till now.”
The department claimed Wednesday that out of 99 Telephone Exchanges in Khurda 93 Telephone Exchanges are working, while in Puri 31 telephone exchanges out of 41 have become functional. Out of 77 telephone exchanges in Cuttack 100% are functioning. Free SMS service was also continued till Wednesday.
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