

BHUBANESWAR: Chief secretary Anu Garg on Thursday directed the Tata Power-managed distribution companies (discoms) to focus on achieving “zero fatalities and zero blackouts” through robust and resilient power distribution infrastructure, safety mechanisms, real-time monitoring and strengthened operational discipline.
Chairing the board meeting of the TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL and TPWODL at Lok Seva Bhawan, Garg reaffirmed the state government’s focus on safety, reliability and improved consumer services. She stressed the importance of sustained capital investment in network modernisation, reliability enhancement and adoption of advanced technologies to build a resilient and future-ready power distribution system.
Progress under the smart metering programme was reviewed, with emphasis on transparent billing, improved energy accounting and stronger consumer engagement. The chief secretary also stressed effective implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana through the ULA model to accelerate rooftop solar adoption and support the clean energy transition.
She also laid special emphasis on the use of the Surakhya Kavach App for real-time safety oversight, emergency response and coordinated monitoring of field staff during outages and disaster-related restoration works.