Public sector units in the city and suburbs which suffered heavy damages due to the very severe cyclone Hudhud that caused havoc in north costal Andhra region on October 12 have been told to come out with a time table for total restoration and normal functioning.
Top executives such as CMDs and GMs of 22 PSUs and Central government organisations like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, Dredging Corporation of India, NTPC, Railways, NHAI, HPCL, IOC, AAI, BHEL, CPWD, Container Corporation, BSNL and Hindustan Shipyard, among others, were instructed to do so by Union Minster of Urban Development and Housing M. Venkaiah Naidu during a review meeting here as part of the efforts being held by the Central and State governments to bring back normalcy to the region. District Collector and State Ministers were present.
Mr. Venkaiah Naidu wanted each industry to come out with details of the loss it had suffered, in what state it was now and the plans for future. He said the Centre had restored power connection on priority and assured the industries’ top executives that he would pursue their requests with the ministries concerned.
One immediate benefit of the review meeting conducted by Mr. Naidu was that the insurance companies agreed to send top officials to Visakhapatnam itself to settle claims of large amounts. He spoke to the Joint Secretary (Finance) during the meeting when he was told that the local officials could not deal with claims crossing Rs. 2 crore. Later, he announced that all claims would be settled within 45 days.
Nearly two weeks after the cyclone hit the area, power supply was restored to the major industries, most of IT companies and pharma units and industrial estates.
