SHILLONG, April 29: The MDA government’s claims that the days of power outage in the state are over have fallen flat.
The Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) has announced load-shedding of up to two hours daily in Shillong and the adjoining areas from April 29.
The insufferable interlude that keeps recurring in Shillong much to the chagrin of the consumers has got the citizens questioning the government if it will ever end.
“Load-shedding always starts moderately and keeps on increasing and at the end of the month, you will be looking at a severe shutdown. Common people, especially the students ahead of tests suffer. Not everyone is fortunate to have generators at home,” prominent citizen Ashok Lyngdoh told The Shillong Times.
Stating that power cuts have become a cycle of inconvenience, he said small shops seeking a turnaround from the struggles of the lockdown phase will be the hardest hit and crime will increase if darkness rules the nights for longer hours.
The power scenario should have been better when Meghalaya is celebrating 50 years of statehood, he added.
“I think it (power cuts) will affect our sales. Without electricity, we cannot operate our machines, billing system, etc.,” a cashier at Raps Mansion said.
A middle-aged shopper at the mansion blamed the government’s faulty planning for the impending power crisis. “We have to buy electricity from outside as the Umiam project is not generating much,” he said.
P Yobin, a lawyer said: “Load-shedding is nothing new, but the government should come out with a solution, avoiding cuts during work hours.”
A young man near the High Court of Meghalaya said the government should ensure adequate power for people who pay their electricity bills regularly.
K Nongbri, a businessman and leader of a traditional body, said prolonged power cuts would affect the common people financially.
East Shillong legislator, Ampareen Lyngdoh called for hard decisions and long-term plans to address the power problem. She hoped the situation will not continue for long.
“Civil society groups and the government have to sit together for taking some (power) projects forward without damaging the environment,” she said.
