Vizag limping back to normalcy; damage runs into several crores
Updated: Oct 15, 2014 02:20:24pm
Hyderabad, Oct 15 (KNN) With the restoration of essential supplies and public transportation services the port city of Visakhapatnam and other coastal areas that were battered by the fierce Cyclone Hudhud are limping back to normalcy.
Many of the residents of Visakhapatnam have had to suffer without daily essentials such as milk. Moreover, there was no power the communication network was practically non-existent.
According to reports, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been overseeing relief operations. He has asked officials to supply packaged food items to victims and also ensure that vegetables are sold at reasonable prices even as efforts are being made to resume electricity supply.
Transportation to Visakhapatnam from other places in the state bringing in essential items has resumed after debris has been removed. Further, bus services within the cyclone-hit districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have resumed.
Reports have also said that the railway track towards Visakhapatnam has been made fit for traffic and trains will be operated through it.
At a time when the state is trying to re-invent itself post-bifurcation, and the city was to be one among the 70 smart cities, the cyclone has thrown plans haywire.
The focus now has to be on rebuilding basic infrastructure that was damaged extensively as also the roads, telecommunications network, seaport and airport. Micro, small and medium industries have also suffered massive damage and they are bound to take time to get back on their feet.
Among others facilities, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the Cyclone Warning Centre need major repairs.
The state government has indicated that damages to the city could run into thousands of crores of rupees.
Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited alone is estimated to have suffered a loss of Rs 40,000 crore, which includes damage to substations, high-tension transmission lines, poles and disruption in distribution network, media reports have said.
Further, about 16,000 electric poles were knocked down by the cyclone and around 6,000 transformers were damaged.
Damages to the Vizag steel plant has been estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, Indian Navy Rs 2,000 crore, Andhra University Rs 300 crore and Vizag airport Rs 500 crore, Naidu said.
Another major challenge that looms ahead is mobilising funds for the enormous task of rebuilding.
According to reports, massive investment plans had been lined up for the city, post-bifurcation, with primary focus on development of IT. About 20 firms from India and abroad have chosen Andhra Pradesh as their IT hub and they have planned to invest Rs 1820 crore. With the damage caused by Hudhud, those plans will certainly slowdown. (KNN Bureau)
Many of the residents of Visakhapatnam have had to suffer without daily essentials such as milk. Moreover, there was no power the communication network was practically non-existent.
According to reports, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been overseeing relief operations. He has asked officials to supply packaged food items to victims and also ensure that vegetables are sold at reasonable prices even as efforts are being made to resume electricity supply.
Transportation to Visakhapatnam from other places in the state bringing in essential items has resumed after debris has been removed. Further, bus services within the cyclone-hit districts of Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts have resumed.
Reports have also said that the railway track towards Visakhapatnam has been made fit for traffic and trains will be operated through it.
At a time when the state is trying to re-invent itself post-bifurcation, and the city was to be one among the 70 smart cities, the cyclone has thrown plans haywire.
The focus now has to be on rebuilding basic infrastructure that was damaged extensively as also the roads, telecommunications network, seaport and airport. Micro, small and medium industries have also suffered massive damage and they are bound to take time to get back on their feet.
Among others facilities, the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the Cyclone Warning Centre need major repairs.
The state government has indicated that damages to the city could run into thousands of crores of rupees.
Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited alone is estimated to have suffered a loss of Rs 40,000 crore, which includes damage to substations, high-tension transmission lines, poles and disruption in distribution network, media reports have said.
Further, about 16,000 electric poles were knocked down by the cyclone and around 6,000 transformers were damaged.
Damages to the Vizag steel plant has been estimated at Rs 1,000 crore, Indian Navy Rs 2,000 crore, Andhra University Rs 300 crore and Vizag airport Rs 500 crore, Naidu said.
Another major challenge that looms ahead is mobilising funds for the enormous task of rebuilding.
According to reports, massive investment plans had been lined up for the city, post-bifurcation, with primary focus on development of IT. About 20 firms from India and abroad have chosen Andhra Pradesh as their IT hub and they have planned to invest Rs 1820 crore. With the damage caused by Hudhud, those plans will certainly slowdown. (KNN Bureau)
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