Imphal, April 30: With the implementation of the first phase of the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP) to be taken up in Imphal for the purpose of checking power theft and reducing loss of power in transmission and distribution falling way behind schedule, the Union Ministry of Power, under whose funding it is to be implemented, has imposed restriction on issuing contract works of the programme, thus stalling the implementation of the same.

It is said that atleast 57 percent of the power purchased by the State from power corporations located outside the State is being lost through transmission.

On the other hand, the Power Grid Corporation of India has prepared a master line for installing huge and powerful power line in Manipur, Mizoram and Meghalaya for the purpose of transmission of power.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a highly reliable source informed that as the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme for laying underground power cable in Imphal area for distribution of power to the people, which was first approved by the Union Ministry of Power during 10th Plan could not be taken up in time, the Ministry has put restriction on the State Government in connection with issuing contract work of the programme.

The first phase of the programme, which would subsequently extended to all the districts of the State, was to be implemented at Imphal.

For this, theState Power Department had even invited tender for issuing the contract work.

However, as the tender process has taken so long and more time had been taken in seeking the approval of the Ministry, the present situation has come about, the source said.

Envisaged to bring about a new system in transmission and distribution of power along with introduction of computerised billing and meter reading, the programme was scheduled to be taken up in the 10th plan.

However, with the 11th plan already commencing the Ministry has asked to stop issuing contract work even though the tender process had been completed in view of the need for reviewing the programme, the source explained.

The Power Ministry has not yet finalised any revised programme nor the Union Cabinet taken up the matter for discussion and consideration, the source added.

While informing that the transmission line being used by the State currently is of the capacity of loading 125 KV, the source conveyed that smaller transmission line would not serve the purpose if case the State needs to procure additional power.

In this connection, along with submitting a proposal to the Centre for installation of 400 KV line, the Chief Minister has also written a letter to the Union Power Secretary, the source disclosed.

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