Centre prioritizes power, water, phones for cyclone Amphan hit Bengal

The meeting which was chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba is part of the Centre's effort for coordination efforts and restoration measures in affected areas of Bengal.

While Rs 1,000 crore has already been released to the state government after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the situation himself, West Bengal Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha thanked the Centre for all the necessary support provided for relief and restoration works.

"Restoration of power and telecommunication infrastructure was stated to be a priority in the cyclone affected areas of the state. While telecom connectivity has been restored in most areas, damages to the local power distribution network has affected the restoration of complete supply in some areas. Central agencies are deployed in these efforts along with teams from neighbouring states," said a Home Ministry statement.

After the cyclone, most of the state capital Kolkata and surrounding Howrah, North and South 24 Parganas plunged into darkness. For nearly 72 hours, many areas of the capital remained without electricity, prompting anguished citizens to protest.

Meanwhile the Army has already been deployed in Kolkata, to help in carrying out road clearances along with teams of NDRF and SDRF, who were on ground even before the super cyclone made landfall.

After reviewing the restoration work, the Cabinet Secretary advised that complete power connectivity, telecom service and drinking water supplies need to be restored on priority basis. Gauba observed in the meeting that the central agencies are ready to provide any further assistance that may be required by the Mamata Banerjee government. (IANS)

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