State's first Gas Insulated Sub-Station installed at Thongju
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR

Imphal, September 27 2021: Power minister Thongam Biswajit on Monday inaugurated the first-of-its-kind 2x10 MVA, 33/11 KV Gas Insulated Sub-Station (GIS) set up under the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) at Thongju Part-II.

Attending the inaugural function of the sub-station as chief guest, Biswajit expressed his gratitude to the staff and officials of both Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) and the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) for their tireless effort towards ensuring improvement in power supply situation in the state.

The minister said inauguration of the first-of-its-kind GIS sub-station in the state is also an achievement of the companies and expressed that this will heip in ensuring reliable and quality power supply in the area.

Stating that the GIS sub-station has several advantages over the conventional sub-stations, Biswajit explained that the new sub-station requires around only 10 percent space of a conventional sub-station.

It will also protect from pollution and reduce switching over voltages, and is economical and maintenance free.

The GIS sub-station has also other advantages over the conventional AIS as it will increase safety, low gas pressure, superior arc interruption, among others.

He continued that the state has managed to reduce the ATC losses to 20.27 percent against the state's own target of 21 percent while recounting that the ATC was as high as 45 percent in the past.

The state is further targeting to bring it down to 12-15 per cent by 2023-24, he said.

Meanwhile, speaking of the government and the department's effort to tap the huge natural resources, the minister said that sites for setting up 29 mini hydro power projects have been identified, and pointed out that development cannot be brought in the state without utilising its huge natural resources.

Biswajit, who is also in-charge of Trade, Commerce & Industries, appealed to the people to promote local merchandise and utilise handloom products.

He said, "If our entire population utilise even one item of our handloom products each, we can improve the livelihood of the state's artisans".

He further said that Manipur today is witnessing inJ dustrial growth for which reliable and quality power supply is verry much needed.

Deputy chairman of Manipur Planning Board and Keirao A/C MLA L Rameshwor Meetei lauded the staff and officials of the two companies for their untiring efforts.

Emphasizing on the importance of quality power supply in the industrialization of a society, the MLA said that the improvement in power supply witnessed in the state over the past few years has helped the youth in their small-scale business endeavours.

He also said that due to the ongoing pandemic, many of our youth who were working outside have returned to the state.

They are now opening small scale businesses like poultry fanning, fish farming, etc, he added.

Speaking on the occasion commissioner (power) Raghumani highlighted that the power sector has witnessed a great change over the past three years in the state.

Today, people are enjoying uninterrupted power supply, he added.

The company is also collecting more revenue with the installation of prepaid meters: There are a total of 5.02 lakh power consumers in Manipur now, out of which 3.34 lakh prepaid meters have already been installed and activated, he said, adding that due to the improvement in power supply the state is witnessing an industrial growth.

Raghumani also informed that under the government's SAUBHAGYA scheme, electriftcation of rural areas has been undertaken.

Delivering the key-note address, MSPCL managing director N Sarat said that the inauguration of the GIS sub-station is an important ' landmark in the power sector of the state.

The scheme was funded by the government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 funding basis.

Thirteen similar sub-stations will be inaugurated at the earliest, he added.

The MD further said, "Today we have inaugurated many power sub-stations in the state.

However, for financial sustainability, revenue collection needs to be strong and that the people should also understand this".

The GIS at Thongju Part-II will cater to the power requirement of the surrounding villages of Thongju Part I/II, Kyamgei, Pheijaleitong, Koirou, Ningomthong, Kha Naorem Leikai, Canchipur, Langthabal Kunja, Bashikhong and others with good quality and reliable power while loading pressure on the nearby 33/11 KV sub-station at Kakwa, Monsangei and Kongba will be reduced extensively.

It can also serve as an alternate source of power for Manipur University iri case of exigency.

The inaugural function was also attended MSPDCL MD Ng Subhachandra, officials of Power Grid, MSPDCL and MSPCL among others.

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