Power to improve by 2014: Chief Engineer, Electricity Department
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, October 14, 2013: With renovation and improvement measures in the power transmission and distribution system underway, Manipur would witness enhance power supply scenario by end of 2014, Chief Engineer (CE) of Electricity Department, Government of Manipur Nandeibam Sarat has assured.

On the other hand, the success of pre-paid metering system introduced in some parts of the capital city Imphal in terms of revenue collection has encouraged the State Electricity Department to think of expanding the coverage of pre-paid metering system in power supply to 13 towns of the State.

Speaking to media persons at his office chamber here Monday evening, CE Sarat informed that along with upgradation of Yurembam Power sub-station, about 150 MW of power supply has been enhanced in the transmission system as against the earlier 100 MW.

Moreover, a lot of renovation and improvement schemes and installation of 132KV capacity power sub-stations at Moreh, Thanlon and Thoubal are underway besides upgradation of Kongba,Chandel and Ukhrul sub-stations with funding from World Bank, he added.

Stating that with improvement in the transmission and distribution system despite limited manpower in the department, CE Sarat said, "We're expecting additional power of about 50 MW including about 42 MW from the gas-based Pallatana (Tripura) power plant by December this year".

He also expected additional power once the thermal-based Bongaigaon (Assam) power plant is operational.

Manipur's peak requirement of power during 2012-13 was 180 MW against the availability of about 120 MW.

The officer further said that his department has also a plan to provide 1 lakh hi-tech 'theft proof' metering systems to its consumers across the state as well as for further expansion of pre-paid metering system in power supply in 13 towns under the Restructure-Accelerated Power Development Reform Programme.

For this about 60,000 metres will be introduced in the said 13 towns which include Imphal city, Thoubal , Ningthoukhong, Samurou, Nambol, Moreh, Bishnupur, Kakching, Moirang, Laxmi Thongkhong, Mayang Imphal town, Lilong town of Imphal West and Lilong town.

Presently, about 18,000 consumers are enjoying pre-payment power supply systems in major parts of the Imphal city.

"Post pre-paid meters installation scenario is very encouraging.

After pre-paid meter was installed, the department could collect cent percent bill every month.

This new pre-paid metering system has also encouraged judicious use of power supply among the consumers," the Chief Engineer pointed out.

"As a result, about 30 to 40 percent power supply demand in core areas of Imphal has been reduced.

Core areas of Imphal now consume only about 7 to 8 MW as against the previous record of using 12 MW", the officer said.

Informing that the State Government needs to pay about Rs 18 crore against the monthly collection of about just about Rs 3 to 4 crore every month for purchase of the required power from the Central power sectors, the Chief Engineer said, "So we are badly in need of public support to narrow down this gap".

"As done in the past, we've started to take up certain steps including drive against power theft, etc", he added.

The officer further informed that the State Electricity Department would be providing free power supply connections to BPL (Below Poverty Line) as per centre's Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyut Yojana scheme.

He appealed to the public to inform the department officials if anyone (department official) is found taking bribe for providing such connection to BPL families.

Responding to a question on the proposal of supplying power to Myanmar despite the fact that the State is experiencing shortage of power, the Chief Engineer disclosed that steps are on to provide 2 to 3 MW of power to Tamu Township as desire by the Chief Minister of the State.

It may be noted here that the scenario of power supply in Manipur at present is so pathetic that people are receiving electricity hardly five hour a day.

For long Manipur has been banking on completion of putting up the 400 KV power transmission line from Silchar to Imphal.

To speed up the work process, the State Government has even formed a high powered committee headed by Additional Chief Engineer of the Power Department to monitor the work progress.

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