Kolkata limps back to normalcy after power blackout

Kolkata: The power situation in Kolkata is limping back to normal. The Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation (CESC) has identified and isolated the fault that tripped the entire generation and distribution system and is now beginning to put its power stations back on track. It has also imported power to maintain supply to emergency lines. A spokesman for CESC said the situation should begin to return to normal by 2 pm.

Earlier in the day, large parts of Kolkata had a blackout of several hours. A technical fault in the city's main power supplier (CESC) led to a virtual shutdown of generation, transmission and distribution of electricity in the city.

Working on war-footing, essential supplies like Metro Railway, SSKMHospital, Medical College Hospitals, Writer's Buildings, High Courtetc. were restored on a priority basis beginning 11:05 am and allessential supplies could be restored by 11:30 am.

The snag occurred around 9.30 this morning. Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya had to walk up a flight of stairs to get to his office in the state secretariat Writers Building. He could not use the elevator because of a 40-minute power cut.

The CESC generates about 975 MW of power from four power plants.