Chhattisgarh seeks Orissa help for power in Bastar

Raipur, June 4 (UNI) The Chhattisgarh government is seeking help from neighbouring Orissa to procure electricity for tribal Bastar region where there is total blackout for the last five days after Maoist rebels blew up power transmission towers.

Amid chaotic situation prevailing in Bastar, Dantewada, Bijapur and Narayanpur districts following the blackout, Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh summoned Energy Secretary Vivek Dhand and directed him to hold talks with his Orissa counterpart to make alternate arrangements for supplying power.

Official sources said Mr Dhand was now holding talks with Orissa government to secure power through Koraput-Jeypore-Umarkot line. Besides, steps on war-footing are being taken to re-erect the damaged transmission towers.

Maoist rebels had caused extensive damage to three high tension power transmission towers in Bastar on May 31 and also destryoed two other towers on Saturday night, disturbing normal life in the Naxalite infested region.

Though different teams of SEB personnel have reached the spot to repair the transmission system, official sources said it could take atleast ten days to restore normal supply.

UNI