Disaster-proofing of Odisha power system

In the initial phase, the power distribution system would be made armored in Berhampur, Chatrapur and Gopalpur towns, official sources said on Sunday.

The cost of the project will be around Rs 300 crore with more than one lakh consumers to reap the benefits, a senior official at the energy department said. The idea of introducing disaster proofing system was mooted at a meeting between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Power Grid Corporation of Indian Limited (PGCIL) CMD R N Nayak recently, he said. The PGCIL, which has introduced similar system in certain cities, agreed to take up the matter in three towns in Odisha, the sources said adding the central PSU has been urged to prepare Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the three towns in Ganjam district.

Energy secretary P K Jena has, meanwhile, held discussion with PGCIL CMD and other officials on the matter. While total underground cabling of the power lines will be a costly affair, the state government has decided to go for different options like, underground cabling, setting up of Narrow Based Lattice Structure (NBLS) Towers and putting up of H poles, which are robust to withstand gale speed of 300 plus kilometres per hour.

The very severe cyclone hit the Ganjam coast with a speed of about 220 km and virtually destroyed the power infrastructure in the district. Meanwhile, Venkat S Tata, General Manager PGCIL had undertaken a tour to three towns in Ganjam district in order to make on the spot assessment of the situation.

With repeated cyclone hitting power infrastructure in the coastal zones of Odisha, the state government will take up 'disaster proofing' of the power distribution system in phased manner, said sources.