While Nagapattinam district has plunged into darkness after Cyclone Gaja devastated the power lines, workers of the Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) are bending over backwards to restore electricity supply by erecting posts and connecting lines. Although workers and contract workers from every corner of the State were rushed to the district for restoration work, officials felt even 15 days would be too short to complete the task.
“All posts covering over 60 km between Nagapattinam and Point Calimere were uprooted and lines snapped. We are replacing them with new poles and wires and it is almost like beginning from the scratch,” said T. Kumaravel, assistant executive engineer (AEE), Vridhachalam, who is in Nagapattinam for the restoration work.
While they are able to install new posts along the main roads, what is awaiting them is the Himalayan task of linking with the posts in small lanes, narrow roads and streets, now blocked by fallen trees.
The sub-station at Vizhunthamavadi on the highway had crumbled under the effect of the cyclone and rebuilding is also a top priority. Transformers are equally damaged.
Another AEE, C. Rajasekaran, who has come from Tirunelveli, said: “He and I had succeeded in erecting 90% posts in about 35 km till Wednesday. We are restoring high-tension wires and the next work will on be low-tension lines. Our work will restore power in 20 villages.”
Around 600 workers from Cuddalore district are currently working in Nagapattinam. Another 500 workers are from Tirunelveli. They are staying in marriage halls.
Carrying the concrete posts is also a punishing task, since most of the damaged posts are running through paddy fields and away from the main road. The workers have to carry them on their shoulders. Wherever possible, the workers have changed the location near the road so that future work will be easy.
Both Mr. Kumaravel and Mr. Rajasekaran said the government machinery was very cooperative and were supplying them with food and other requirements on the spot.
The government has also announced that regular workers of the Tangedco would get three times their salary per day, besides ₹100 per day for daily expenses. Contract workers are paid ₹1,000 per day.
