More concrete steps are yet to be introduced by the State power department for ensuring round the clock electricity supply to the 136 small hamlets in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand.
Department sources revealed that the power supply was resumed to the most of the small hamlets except those areas where road connectivity is poor. Apart from that, those who are living in the fringe parts of the State are also worst affected. The Uttarakhand Power Corporation limited (UPCl) also faced the brunt of natural calamites that wrecked havoc in the State.
The borne the loss of nearly Rs 26 crore and among the worst affected district is Rudraprayag district of the State. Sources said that 377 transformers were washed away in the flood ravaged besides low and high tension lines were also damaged. The biggest hindrance faced by the department is that electricity poles were badly damaged in the mountainous parts of the State.
The department has pitched or replaced the damaged electricity poles for resuming the electricity supply. Department sources revealed that the 3,758 small hamlets faced the brunt of the natural calamites as power supply was completely disrupted but, the department has managed to restore electricity supply to 3622 small hamlets in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions of Uttarakhand. Among the worst affected district is Uttarkashi district as 71 small hamlets are still without power despite the fact that one month has passed since the disaster struck Uttarakhand. Additionally, 30 hamlets in Rudraprayag, 18 in Chamoli district, 09 in Pithoragarh, 06 in Tehri and 02 in Pauri district is without the power. One of the department sources who wished anonymity told The Pioneer that a team of 155 additional engineers are deployed for ensuring the round the clock power to those villagers who are living in the remote parts of the state. He further told that the stern instructions are already issued to engineers, lineman and mobile team to immediately rectify the technical snags for ensuring the round the clock power to the consumers.
After expressing his concern over the poor connectivity of the roads in the mountainous areas of the state, he assured that the power supply to the remaining villages would be restored by the end of this month. He said that the department has been working day and night for restoring the electricity supply to the affected small hamlets besides solar lantern has been used at night by the department.