Imphal, May 20 2009: Concern over the delay in the implementation of the ambitious Intra-region Power Transmission Project which aimed at improving the power supply system in the north east region of the country, Manipur government has sought support from other north east states in pressing the Centre for funding to the project.

The take-off of the project, upgradation of the transmission system of the power supply by the North East Power Grid Corporation responsible distribution of the power supply in the entire north east region with 400/220 KV connectivity has been delayed due to want of funds.

Considering the regional importance of speedy take off of the project, state chief minister O Ibobi, has wrote counterpart states of the north east regions to join in pressing the DoNER/NEC and Planning Commission of India in earmarking substantial funds for taking up the ambitious Intra-region Power Transmission Project, official source here said today.

The proposed North-east Intra-region Power Transmission Project is to be implemented Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) with the initiative of the DoNER (Department of North East Region)/ NEC.

It aimed at improving the power supply system in the north east region by upgrading the existing 132 KV connectivity system to 400/220 KV connectivity.

The project has not been taken due to lack of funding.

In separate intimations wrote to his counterparts particularly to the state of Mizoram and Meghalaya on May 6, 2009, Ibobi mentioned the critical importance of the projects for development of the region which have been hindered by the power scarcity.

"Besides earmarking of NLCPR (Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resource) and NEC (North Eastern Council) funds, we may request the Planning Commission to earmark a percentage of the Special Plan Assistant (SPA) funds for the project," the chief minister rote the Governor of the Meghalaya.

The three states of Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya do not have 400/220 KV connectivity to the regional power grid and currently depend upon 132 KV connectivity only.

As a result, the three states could not draw power share from the regional grid, the grid controlling the power supply in the entire states north east regions.

The state has been facing acute shortage of power supply since the last few years and the state did not remained silent but searching for power sources.

Considering the problems facing by the power scarcity and increasing demands of the power, Manipur government, on the advice of the Union ministry of power requested for a share in the power from OTPC's 740 MW Gas Power Project at Pallatana, Tripura, NTPC's Bangaigoan Thermal Power Project and the mega Hydro-projects (Lower Susbansri, Kameng etc.) coming up in Arunachal Pradesh.

To avail the power share from these projects there is the need for upgrading the connectivity to the power grid to 400/220 KV, official source in the state power department said.

State chief minister in his intimation also suggested the need for pushing up the Ministry of DoNER/NEC and the Planning Commission to accord highest priority for funding this important regional project citing that the availability of power is an essential pre-requisite for attracting investments and promting economic activity to tackle the problem of unemployment among the educated youths of the region.

Manipur has been facing power supply problems since the last around two decades with the requirement of power for all categories of consumers (domestic, commercial, industrial, water works and public lighting has been gradually increasing year after another.

Despite the installed capacity of the state power supply is 49,212 KV in 2007-08, the electricity generated in the year is only 17.304 KWH.

The power demand in the said year is 145 MW while the supply was only 110 KW leaving a shortfall of 35 KW.

Economic Survey of Manipur 2008-09 estimated increase of the peal lot to 203 MW against the requirement of 932 MU (Mega Unit).

The peak lot of the current year 2009-10 is 170 MW against the energy requirement of 766 MU.

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