Enough power in state to facilitate industrialisation: Biswajit
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIPR
Imphal, December 25 2021: Power minister Thongam Biswajit Singh has announced that Manipur presently has enough powe r to meet the requirement for setting up of industries.
Inaugurating three 33/11 KV sub-stations in Imphal East on Saturday, he said that the activation of the sub-stations will be of great help in improving quality power supply.
The three sub-stations are located at Top Khongang makhong (Wakha), Sanjenbam and Yaralpat.
Speaking at the inauguration event, Biswajit informed the three sub-stations were set up and operationalised as a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebration.
While highlighting that the peak electricity demand of Manipur at present is around 230 MW, he asserted that thestate has the requisite infrastructure to bring in enough power to meet any increase in demand to facilitate industrialisation while noting that on completion of the Civil Secretariat and the Food Park at Yaithibi Khunou there will be drastic increase in demand for power in the state.
Regarding complaints on quality of power supply, the minister explained that development should happen gradually, and all concern should understand that the two Companies are in the reformation stage.
He also said that in public interest, the cost qf per unit electricity has been kept low in the state as compared to the average cost in other north eastern states.
The minister, however, asserted that the state is able to provide 24-hour quality power supply subsequent to significant increase in the number of sub-stations.
Stating that politicians alone cannot bring development and that every individual has a responsibility towards the society, Biswajit stressed the need for contribution by all in sync with Prime Minister's objective of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayaas".
He also assured that power sub-stations in Tamenglong and Gamphazol will also be completed by June 2022 and affirmed that the present government believes in reaching out to the last mile to bring development.
Further explaining the benefits of the UJALA scheme, the minister urged the public to use LED bulbs provided to domestic consumers at subsidised rates under the scheme.
He said that the old heated bulbs emit toxic gases into our environment and it is also not so effective while LED bulbs help in conservation of energy and saving money through reduced power bills.
The minister also expressed that usage of the High Tension Low Sag (HTLS) Conductor in the state will minimise the sagging of wire in the hill areas.
He continued that around 3.9 lakh prepaid meters have been installed and activated in the state as part of the good governance to bring transparency and accountability.
There is a target to complete more than 70 percent by March next year, Biswajit maintained.
The minister also assured to discuss with the Centre if the names of the locations of the three power sub-stations can be altered or appended with proper locations.
The inauguration function was also attended by MSPDCL chairman and Khurai MLA L Susindro, Kshetrigao MLA N Indrajit Singh, Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) managing director N Sarat Singh, Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) managing director Ng Subhachandra Singh and Powergrid General manager H Rajen Singh, among others.
Power supply to Top Khongangmakhong, Sanjenbam area, Porompat in Imphal East used to be fed from the 33/11 kV Sub-station at Khuman Lampak through long 11 kV line resulting in poor quality and irregular power supply.
However, with inauguration of the new 33/11 kV Sub-station at Top Khongangmakhong, power supply to Top Khongnangkhong, Wakha, Top Dusra (East), Kshetri Bengoon, Top Naoria, Naharup, Yangbi, etc, will be improved with significant reduction in losses and considerable improvement in the voltage profile too.
Similar, construction and activation of the new 33/11 kV sub-station at Sanjenbam will ensure quality power supply to Sanjenbam and its adjoining areas like Kanghuchingjil, Takhel, New Salem, Nongmaiphal Sanamahi and Mahadev temple at Nongmaijing and as well as villages under Saikul sub-division in Kangpokpi district.
The new 33/11 kV Sub-station at Porompat will also ensure efficient power supply to Porompat, Yaralpat, Moirang Kampu Sajeb, Top Khewa, Ningthoubung, etc.
These sub-stations were constructed under the North Eastern System Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP), which is a Central Sector Scheme for strengthening of the Intra State Transmission and DistributionSystem in six States of NER (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland) at an estimated cost of Rs 5111.33 crore.
The scheme was funded by the Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 basis.
The project is being executed by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in favour of the six NER states.
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