How can the Power Supply in Manipur be improved?
Thokchom Sanathoi Singh *
Electricity is an essential requirement for all facets of our life. It has been a critical infrastructure on which the socio-economic development of a country or a State depends.
Here, power supply refers to the distribution of power uniformly to the people. As it is the age of Science and Technology, power supply at a uniform rate is essential for overall development. Development in this 21st century is impossible without proper power supply. As electricity is an essential requirement in all spheres, it is very much required to improve the supply of power in Manipur.
In the present Manipur context, shortage of power is a big issue. From every corner, there is cry for ensuring adequate power supply. We see people unrest, facing problems and difficulties as there is shortage of power.
Lack of rain water, shortage of water from various sources, lack of a long term perspective in transmission network, improper transmission lines which carry power from outside Manipur and power theft are the main factors which give the problem of shortage of power supply in the State.
Here, role of Government and Power Department are very much important is finding sources in order to improve the supply of power. So, it is the high time that the Government and Power Department conserve and protect the sources of water, dig up more lakes and also dredge the rivers, set up water supply schemes, construction dams and reservoirs and put a strict ban on deforestation and other destructive activities.
It is also very much required to strengthen the transmission lines which carry power from outside Manipur. The existing Government and Power Department should never forget that in this present context, the 400 KV transmission line from Silchar to Imphal is the only hope of Manipur to improve the power supply.
Besides, power theft is another real menace to the problem of power loss. It is a cognizable and non-bailable offence under the Electricity Act, 2013. So, the State Electricity Department must launch stern drive against power theft which accounts for about 70 percent of power loss in Manipur. The present condition of power supply in the State can be improved only when the percentage of power loss comes down to about 40 percent.
People's role is also very much required in improving power supply. People should clear electricity bill timely. As there is overdue electricity bill of Rs 280 crores to be collected from consumers, the crisis of power in the State has aggravated. So, power crisis in the State can also be solved through the support and cooperation of the people.
Power is not a natural resource; it is also an artificial exhaustible resource. This age of Science and Technology is impossible without power. Power should be found abundantly. Conservation of electricity should be a part of our life. We should never forget that the socio-economic development of a country or a State depends upon the infrastructure of electricity.
In order to improve the power supply and meet the needs of the growing population, we must use electricity judiciously and economically. One should not misuse electricity at any point of time.
* Thokchom Sanathoi Singh, a IX std. student ofJawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Bishnupur wrote this essay for Hueiyen Lanpao
This article was posted on June 07, 2014.
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