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Dimapur, March 22 (EMN): In what will ease power load significantly in Dimapur, a new 33/11 Kv 2x10 MVA distribution substation was inaugurated at Forest colony in Dimapur on Monday.
While inaugurating the new distribution substation and launching pre-paid meters, the advisor of Power department, government of Nagaland, Tovihoto Ayemi, said that the long-awaited project was significant for the power department as well as for the citizens of Dimapur.
powerHe informed that the new distribution substation at Forest colony, which is the 10th such facility in Dimapur, would relieve about 40 per cent of the existing load on 33/11kv Metha colony substation.
While thanking the Forest department for donating land for the establishment of the substation, he said the people can witness developmental activities taking place under the present government.
The advisor asserted that Power department ‘never receives appreciation for its work’ though it could be the only department that does not sleep and work for the people.
Stating that the primary objective of the Power department is to provide adequate power supply to all and electrify the un-electrified households, he appealed to the public leaders and civil society organisations for their co-operation, saying that ‘the department can do so many things’ with their support.
Ayemi went on to inform that pre-paid meter system is a pilot scheme that was introduced in Marwari Patti area, and after six years, they are now expanding it to other parts of Dimapur as well as in Kohima and urged the gathering to co-operate with the department in order to enjoy uninterrupted power supply.
Speaking at the event, Chief Engineer (D and R), Power, Moa Aier said that the new substation would reduce load shedding on account of transformer capacity limitation at Metha colony substation as it would off-load some of the loads.
He added that the department might face manpower shortage issue as they required people to man the new substation 24/7 and the urged the government to look into the matter.
Chief Engineer (T and G), Power, N Mozhui said that the Power department was outdoors even during the pandemic, when everyone was inside their homes and that ‘it is worth mentioning their contribution’.
Mozhui stated that the wage of work-charge in Power department is very low compared to the risk of life involved in their line of work and urged the government to look into it.
During the occasion, Principal Secretary, Power, KD Vizo said that power is not only about “on and off” but has many elements as it is a complex subject and has four major elements -- transmission, distribution, revenue and generation.
The official informed that there are three groups of power consumers -- people who steal power by hooking wire from the light post; who bypass the meter reading; and those who do not even have a meter and use electricity freely.
He went on to remind that the Power department cannot go on providing free service and stated that ‘lots will change if Dimapur changes’ as the city alone consumes 50 per cent of power in the state.