Power supply partially restored, mobile services improve in Visakhapatnam

VISAKHAPATNAM: Moving towards greater normalcy, cyclone-devastated city airport would resume operations tomorrow with partial resumption of flights and restoration of power supply gathered pace in coastal districts of Andhra Pradesh wrecked by Sunday's natural calamity.

Power supply had been partially restored in Visakhapatnam district and mobile communication services significantly improved, bringing some relief to people facing harrowing times since the cyclone `Hudhud' slammed the city.

"Air India will start flight operations from tomorrow. Subsequently, another nine flights by other operators may start from day after tomorrow," Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju said.

The airport, in a shambles after the cyclone fury with passenger terminal a picture of destruction and roof-tops blown off by gale force winds, is under restoration. All efforts are being made for operation of immigration facilities so that international flights start by November 1, he said.

Power supply to Visakhapatnam Steel Plant has been restored, an official of Energy Department said adding Andhra Pradesh government is making efforts to draw power from Odisha for cyclone-affected areas.

As Andhra Chief Minister N Chandhrababu Naidu hit out at telecom companies for lack connectivity in Visakhapatnam even two days after the cyclone, a senior official of Indus Towers, a three-way venture between Airtel, Idea and Vodafone, said power from diesel generators have been provided to all strategic and important towers in coastal districts of East Godavari, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam. (MORE) PTI GDK SJR RS RSY PAL 10161939 NNNN

Chandrababu Naidu, camping in Visakhapatnam to oversee relief operations in cyclone-hit districts, said essential commodities are being given free at all fair price shops in these districts.

Looking forward, Naidu said he is keen on developing the port city with a new vision.

"Once this (cyclone relief) is over, we are preparing new plans for Visakhapatnam. Not just planting trees. I am working on a new vision for Visakhapatnam. I am going to rope in best consultants from across the world who have handled similar cities in the world."

Visakhapatnam was among the three cities (other two being Allahabad and Ajmer) discussed for being developed as 'smart cities' with American help during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent US visit.

"We will approach the World Bank or the ADB to make this as a new city, a model city," he said.

The Chief Minister, meanwhile, made no secret of his displeasure over telecom service providers failing to rise to the occasion and not restoring connectivity even a couple of days after `Hudhud' devastated the Andhra coast.

At a high-level meeting here with top executives of telecom service providers, Naidu lost his cool and, mincing no words, reportedly demanded a "straight answer" from them for their "non-performance".