Telangana offers power restoration aid to Andhra Pradesh

Telangana has offered personnel and essential materials to help Andhra Pradesh restore electricity after Cyclone Arnab, but the offer was conditional and there was no confirmation that resources had been sent. Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka conveyed the offer in a phone call with Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on October 28. According to an official release described in reports of the call, Ravi Kumar briefed Vikramarka on cyclone damage and ongoing relief and restoration work, and thanked Telangana for its support. The offer followed an earlier request for cooperation. Ravi Kumar and Special Chief Secretary for Energy K. Vijayanand had spoken with Telangana Special Chief Secretary for Energy Naveen Mittal and sought personnel from Telangana power utilities, along with equipment and materials, for restoration work. The reported readiness to assist does not establish that those resources were dispatched. Andhra Pradesh had mobilised around 6,000 Energy Department personnel for emergency response and power restoration, according to one account. Ravi Kumar also directed power-distribution company leaders to visit...