132/33 KV substation sanctioned in Nongpoh under Budget 2025-26
NONGPOH, March 6: The Meghalaya government has sanctioned the construction of a 132/33 KV substation in Nongpoh as part of the 2025-26 state Budget, marking a significant step toward addressing the region’s longstanding electricity issues. The decision comes after more than a decade of persistent advocacy from local organisations and community leaders, who highlighted frequent power outages and their adverse impact on daily life and economic growth.
The push for improved electricity infrastructure in Nongpoh began in 2012 when the Co-ordination Committee on Electricity in Ri-Bhoi, which included the KSU North Khasi Hills District, led by the late GH Kharshanlor as chairman and Ferdynald Kharkamni as secretary, submitted a memorandum to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner. The memorandum detailed the recurring failures of the 33/11 KV Nongpoh Substation, which receives power from the Stage-III Power Station at Kyrdemkulai, more than 40 km away. The committee argued that the extended transmission distance, along with the low height of the 33 KV power lines, led to frequent tripping and interruptions as trees and bamboo often made contact with the lines. It urged the government to install a 132/33 KV substation, similar to those in other district headquarters, to ensure a more stable power supply. Despite repeated pleas, no immediate action was taken, prompting the KSU Nongpoh Unit to escalate the issue in 2022. The student body staged a protest rally and submitted a memorandum to the Ri-Bhoi Deputy Commissioner, reiterating the concerns raised in 2012. KSU leaders emphasised that the unreliable power supply was hindering economic activities, disrupting education, and affecting healthcare services in the district.
In 2024, the Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM), Ri-Bhoi, took the matter directly to the state government. The organisation submitted a memorandum to Power Minister AT Mondal, demanding urgent intervention. The organisation highlighted how frequent power failures were not only affecting residents but also businesses and industries that depend on uninterrupted electricity.
Acknowledging the growing public demand, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, in his 2025-26 budget speech, announced the sanctioning of a 132/33 KV substation in Nongpoh. The project, to be implemented by the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL), is expected to significantly improve power reliability in Nongpoh, the district headquarters, as well as other parts of the district that will also benefit from this new substation.
Sound of cheers
Welcoming the government’s decision, Ferdynald Kharkamni, a key figure in the movement for better power infrastructure, told The Shillong Times over the phone: “We have been demanding this substation for years. The government has finally listened to the voices of the people. We hope that the project will be implemented without delay so that the residents of Nongpoh can benefit from an uninterrupted power supply.”
He also stated that the decision to establish a 132/33 KV substation in Nongpoh marks a victory for the people of Ri-Bhoi, whose persistent efforts have finally led to a concrete solution.
With the project now sanctioned, residents, businesses, and institutions can look forward to a more stable and efficient power supply.