Kohima: Nagaland Power Minister Doshehe Y. Sema expressed ‘deep regret’ over the suffering being faced by consumers, especially in Dimapur, due to the inability of the Department to provide quality power supply and offered his sympathy to the common people, who are facing the brunt of the crisis.
Admitting the situation ‘really is miserable’; while adding he himself has a tough time staying in Dimapur Mr. Doshehe called a hurriedly arranged press conference at Dimapur on Saturday, prior to his departure for Bangalore.
He will meet with Naga students as well as the Chief Minister and the Home Minister of Karnataka, followed by the National Power Committee (NPC) meeting in Delhi slated for August 21 next.
Finding dependable spares to take the place of the damaged 20 MVA transformer as an interim measure is the immediate requirement now, he said.
The highly anticipated 100 MVA transformer, said to cost around Rs. 14 to15 Crore, is a long term arrangement, he added.
Asked when the new transmission equipment is expected to reach, he however could not provide a date.
The order for the machine was placed towards the end of 2011 and it will not be until the end of the year, if not later, when it arrives.
On the proposed 100MVA transformer up-gradation for Dimapur, the Power Minister said technical drawings have already been approved and manufacture is currently being taken up by the concerned company.
Being sophisticated and complicated equipment, it takes time for the company to deliver, he maintained.
Mr. Doshehe said that the power shortage is a national phenomenon, where he attributed ‘mechanical failure and not human error’, while adding that the Department is rendering service under difficult circumstances.
If everything goes smoothly, the department expects to install the 100MVA transformer by the end of this year or early part of 2013.
Furthermore, another proposal has been to further upgrade Dimapur load to 200MVA by end of the 12th Plan.
The Minister also outlined some power related projects which are on the planning stage and disclosed that a road map for comprehensive power distribution system for Nagaland is under proposal, which is with the World Bank for financial backing.
It includes a network of two high tension transmission lines (220 KVA and 132 KVA lines) connecting important mineral-rich regions of the state.
The 14 Mega Watts Dikhu hydro projects, as always, is still under planning stage, awaiting clearance from the Central Government. (UNI)
