Power supply to be restored in cyclone-hit areas before Pongal

Power supply in cyclone Thane-ravaged Cuddalore district will be restored before the harvest festival of Pongal falling on January 15, Tamil Nadu Electricity Minister R Viswanathan said today.

About 8000 workers are on the job and power supply in all houses in the district will be restored before January 14,he said, adding, relief works are progressing and there is smooth coordination with officials.

The Minister said Neyveli Lignite Corporation Chairman-cum-Managing Director AR Ansari had informed him that NLC's two new 250 mw units were ready for commercial operation as the trial runs have been completed.

The share of power from NLC units will be helpful to the state, he added.

Cuddalore was the worst hit by the cyclonic storm that crossed the coast on December 30, claiming 39 lives.

A nine-member Central team had recently visited the district to assess the damage.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced an interim relief of Rs 500 crore and Rs 125 crore for the cyclone-affected areas of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry respectively.