By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Hopes of power supply being restored at NEHU were dashed when the 1 MVA transformer ordered by the University, heated up and developed a defect after running only for a few hours on Thursday morning.
The University which had plunged into darkness on Sunday afternoon after the 3 MVA transformer collapsed due to a ‘lightning strike’ is set to stay in the dark for another two to three days following the inability to get another transformer at a very short time.
NEHU Vice Chancellor Prof AN Rai told The Shillong Times that the power was restored for only a few hours on Thursday as the 1 MVA transformer purchased at a price of Rs 15 lakh a day earlier was unable to take the load and crashed. NEHU engineers had worked overtime to install the I MVA transformer on Wednesday evening.
“The transformer was run on a trial basis but only after a few hours, it heated up and developed a defect and subsequently the same has been sent back to the manufacturers who claimed that the new transformer will arrive on Sunday,” Prof Rai said.
“This transformer was our possible hope to restore power at the campus but unfortunately, the University will undergo power shortage for a couple more days,” he said.
He also mentioned the options left after this crisis hit the premiere institution are time-taking as one is possible repair which is going to take a minimum of 45 days; the other is to buy a new 3 MVA transformer which is not easily available and order has to be placed which would take at least 45-90 days.
“Now we are left with the third option which is to approach MeECL,” Prof Rai said.
“We held a meeting today (Thursday) with the MeECL authorities asking them to provide at least 11 KVA of power but that too depends on how much electricity load they can give as we cannot be sure of the arrival of the 1 MVA transformer,” Prof Rai said.
The NEHU VC has also informed that he will be meeting the MeECL authority again on Friday to discuss further on this matter to ensure that power supply is restored at the earliest.
Meanwhile, University sources have informed that after a meeting held on Thursday evening it was decided to suspend classes until September 2. The University will then take a call whether to extend the unscheduled holidays or resume classes depending upon the availability of electricity.
There is a strong undercurrent of resentment at the power crisis and the failure of the standby transformer.
A senior faculty members said, “Whoever is responsible for the laxity in maintenance of the uninterrupted power supply should be held accountable and pay the penalty. Unless the person/persons are held accountable such misadventures will continue to beset NEHU,” he said.
“Just imagine a population of over 2000 people living without power for five days. We are cut off from everyone since we cannot even charge our mobile phones and computers. Is there a worse plight than this?” the faculty asked.