100 per cent power by October 25: AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu

Visakhapatnam/Hyderabad: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said on Sunday that 100 per cent restoration of power supply would be completed in Vizag by October 25.

He added that the government would be organising a candle light rally on Beach Road in the city on Diwali, October 23.

Speaking at Vizag here on Sunday, Mr Naidu said a seven-member committee, comprising the principal secretary, APIIC chairman, representatives of leading banks and insurance companies and three industrialists, will conduct a study on the revival of industries in Vizag, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. Submitting insurance claims should be done by October 25 and the process of sanctions and compensations will start from October 30, he added.

Mr Naidu left for Hyderabad on Sunday evening and upon his return, expressed satisfaction over the administration’s handling of the situation. He also asked the people of North Andhra to celebrate Diwali by lighting lamps.

Around 2,500 industries were affected by Cyclone Hudhud in Vizag while the number was 55 in Vizianagaram and 32 in Srikakulam. Rough estimates put the losses at Rs 1,200 crore in the electricity sector alone.

Expressing partial satisfaction with the restoration efforts undertaken by officials of the three district, Mr Naidu said, “I am leaving Vizag this evening after a seven-day stay with some satisfaction, but not full satisfaction. After attending some programmes, including the Police Commemoration Day on October 21 in Vijayawada, I will come back on October 22 to monitor the situation and I will participate in the candle light rally on October 23.”

“We will not hesitate to arrest the dealers of Fair Price Ration Shops (ration shop dealers) if they indulge in any malpractice in providing essential commodities announced by the government for the benefit of cyclone victims,” he added.

The chief minister, who stayed in Vizag for a week after Hudhud, operated from an AC bus, where he held meetings with his Cabinet colleagues and officials and also monitored the relief and restoration works. He left for Hyderabad on Sunday evening after visiting the cyclone-hit Andhra University, VUDA Park, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park and IT Parks at Rushikonda.