Power crisis in state to linger on
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 15 2011:
With the Power Department not being able to make any significant progress in the task of extending the power transmission line from Silchar to Imphal, power crisis in Manipur is likely to linger on for the next four to five years.
On the other hand, the necessary measures have been reportedly taken up for resolving issues related to loss of power during transmission and improve the power situation in the State.
According to a reliable source, the task of extending the KV 132 transmission line from Silchar to Imphal, which would ultimately connect with KV 400 Double Circuit Pallatana-Silchar-Bongaigaon Trunk Transmission System, has been mooted with an eye on improving the situation of power supply in the State.
But, there has not been much progress in the task, as the Power Department has been neglecting its duty.
In such a scenario, the power crisis in Manipur is likely to linger on for the next four to five years.
The source informed that the Government of Manipur is also a stakeholder in the ongoing construction work of the KV 400 Double Circuit Pallatana-Silchar-Bongaigaon Trunk Transmission System.
The Trunk Transmision System would transmit the Manipur share of the power from 726.6 MW Pallata Gas Power Project and 750 MW Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project and link up with the proposed Silchar-Imphal transmission line.
The two projects are being targeted to be commissioned by 2011-12.But considering the pace of the construction work, especially between Silchar and Imphal, any improvement in the power situation of Manipur in the near future is still remote.
It is said that the construction work of the 132 KV transmission line from Silchar to Imphal is being taken up by Power Grid Corporation of India under the Scheme of Associated Transmission System.
However, even though the Government of Manipur has acquired the required land for development of necessary infrastructure as part of the project at Yurembam , the Power Department has not been giving the kind of attention expected for hastening the progress of the work.
As State share, Manipur would be receiving 43 MW of power from Pallata Gas Power Project while another 56 MW from Bongaigaon Thermal Power Project, the source disclosed.
Meanwhile, along with the Power Department of the State joining the North East Transmission Company, necessary measures for curbing loss of power during transmission have been taken up so as to improve the situation of power supply in the State.
These measures are to be taken up under the State Plan as well as Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission System (NE) total estimated cost of Rs 727.67 crores.
The Government of India has already approached the World Bank for providing 85 percent of the total cost of the project and in case of approval; the World Bank would be providing Rs 618.52 crores.
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