Darkness still grips several rural areas in Ganjam despite the assurance of the Chief Minister and other dignitaries that electricity would be restored to all parts of the district by October end.
Of the 475 gram panchayats, power supply was partially restored in 269 panchayat headquarters so far, but fully restored in all block and 18 urban headquarters.
Power distribution firm Southco informed that of the 5.43 lakh consumers in the district, power supply was restored to around 3.57 lakh consumers so far.
It may be noted that Ganjam’s electricity network had suffered huge damage due to the cyclone. Drinking water supply in the rural areas was also hit due to non-availability of power supply. Sources said of the 971 rural water supply schemes, 170 had been made operational. The other projects could not run due to lack of power. Nevertheless, the RWSS authorities claimed that drinking water supply in rural areas was being ensured by using 314 generators and pressing into service 320 water tankers.