Speaking at a press conference, Singh said that it would take at least a month to bring normalcy to power supply in the state. As it continues to rain there, restoration work cannot commence. Unless water receded from the waterlogged substations, it would be impossible to restore power, he said.Restoration work cannot commence at full swing because there are a plethora of agencies which have to coordinate, he said. After its experience in restoring electricity after the cyclone in Gujarat, Powergrid had been in discussions with the state electricity authorities for setting up an emergency handling cell.

The eastern authorities did not respond to this request by Powergrid, Singh said. Had a full fledged cell been formed, it would have been possible for Powergrid to access these areas with its own helicopters and install many more Emergency Restoraytion Systems, the chairman said.

Powergrid has not able to make the investment in an emergency cell because it would entail factoring the investment into its tariff which is not acceptable to the state electricity boards, Singh said. The investment involved in an emergency cell in Powergrid would involve an investment of Rs 100 crore. One day of power failure in the state of Orissa involves a loss far greater than Rs 100 crore Singh said.

After the first cylcone hit Orissa early last month 34 transmission towers were uprooted, as a result of the second cyclone on October 29 the position is far worse Singh said.

Powergrid has despatched four sets of Emergency Restoration Systems to Orissa. Since the towers collapsed in Orissa are mainly of 132 kv and 220 kv these four sets will be able to restore more than 48 towers, Singh said.Powergrid has arranged for two diesel generators sets for Orissa. These sets have been airlifted by Army helicopters. One of them has reached Paradip while the other one is being transported by road to by the army, he said.