Power condition at its lowest ebb
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Maisnam Karnajit
Imphal, March 15 2013 :
Even though Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has assured 24-hour power supply to the people, the sources for generating power have dried up of late thereby leading to deterioration in the power condition of the State to such a level that consumers have to content with just four hours of power supply in a day.
In total contrast to the earlier system of power distribution, general public are being deprived of power during the day now a days.
However, people in pre-paid metre system installation areas and VVIP colonies getting sufficient power throughout the day, thus showing the discriminatory attitude of the Electricity Department towards its consumers.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao in this regard, N Sarat, Chief Engineer, Electricity Department informed that most of the Hydro Electric Power Projects from which the State Government is receiving power are now generating less power due to shortage of water.
The Ranganadi Project, which earlier produced 405 megawatt of power, now hardly produces a unit of power during the day.
Earlier, the State Government used to receive 36 megawatt of power during the day from Ranganadi Project.
But now, only meager quantity of 2 megawatt as State share is received, that also only during night time, he added.
The Chief Engineer further informed that the State share from the Kopilikhangdo too has been reduced to nil at present.
On the other hand, three turbines of Loktake Hydro Project, which were being used day and night, have ceased to operate.
Only one turbine, which could produce 30 megawatt of power, is in service presently.
So, the State receives a mere 2.91 megawatt of power as its share from Loktak Hydro Power Project at present.
In addition to this, the State Government receives 24 megawatt of power from Katharguri AGBPP and Agartala AGTPP Gas Plants during the day time.
The quantity is increased to about 50 to 60 megawatt during night time, the Chief Engineer said.
He further informed that the State requires around 170 megawatt of power in a day.
Since the State share from other power projects is much lower than the actual requirement, the State government has started purchasing 20 to 25 megawatt of power on the basis of Un-Schedule Interchange (UI) .
The problem of shortage of power production will remain till the arrival of the monsoons and it is advisable to use power wisely.
The problem will also be reduced to a certain level after completion of connecting the 400 KV power line from Silchar, he added.