BLAST EFFECT: A view of what remained after naxalites destroyed the control room of Upper Sileru project.

HYDERABAD: The recent damage caused by naxalites to the Upper Sileru hydroelectric project in the forests of Visakhapatnam district has stirred up the Andhra Pradesh Generation Corporation (APGenco) into drawing up a plan to change the entire gamut of security in its power stations.

Viewing the incident seriously, Genco has informed the Government that use of explosives at any project would trip other stations in a chain reaction and throw the supply system out of gear. It has urged the Government to step up security at all the projects located in remote areas and offered to foot the bill.

As of now, none of the 21 projects of APGenco has any security worth the name. Only two or three unarmed guards are posted at each project. The four guards posted at Upper Sielru were helpless spectators when some 100 Maoists attacked the project.

On his return from the site on Thursday, Managing Director of the corporation Ajay Jain reviewed with officials the security at the projects.

The meeting prepared a security plan for posting at least one armed platoon at each station, Mr. Jain told The Hindu later.

Vulnerable projects

Among the projects identified as vulnerable are Upper Sileru, Donkarai, Lower Sileru, Machkhund, all located in deep forests, Srisailam right and left power stations, Puttamgandi complex, which is near Pavuralagutta, a naxalite stronghold, and Nagarjunasagar hydel complex. Heightened security is also sought for Kothagudem and Ramagundam thermal stations as they too are in "vulnerable areas."

Mr. Jain said that the Maoists had destroyed not only the switchboard room and the air-condition plant of Upper Sileru but also its guesthouse.

The vital installations damaged included A/C and D/C distribution boards and numerous types of panels.

G. Adiseshu, Director (hydel), who is supervising the restoration works, has been asked to stay on till the 240-MW power station resumes operation.

Its third and fourth units are expected to resume activity by Monday and the first and the second in two months.

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