Naxal blackout: water rationing in Bastar

Jagdalpur, June 4 (UNI) Backward Bastar region in Chhattisgarh virtually plunged into darkness throwing normal life in disarry due to power blackout for the last five days after the naxals blew up power transmission towers.

Unprecedented blackout in Bastar, Dantewada, Narayanpur and Bijapur districts badly affected functioning in hospitals, iron ore mines, communication system and rail traffic. The authorities imposed water rationing in Dantewada town at four litres per person per d Though hectic efforts were underway to tide over the situation, it would take at least 10 days to restore power supply as the damaged transmission powers were located in dense forest, considered the hideout of naxalites active there for about three decades, official sources said today.

CPI(Maoist) cadres blasted three high tension transmission towers on May 31. Two days later, the rebels blew up another two 220 KV Bhilai-Barsur high tension transmission structures near Narayanpur, compounding the problems.

Engineers of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board (CSEB) were, however, were cautious suspecting that the Maoists might have laid landmines in the area.

National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) had so far suffered production loss of about Rs 80 crore, while normal functioning of Essar Steel unit in Bastar had been affected, official sources said.

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