Our Principal Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOVEMBER 5
Chief Minister T R Zeliang while expressing that no major economic activity can be sustained without adequate and reliable power supply, today said a comprehensive power policy was required to give direction for coordinated development of generation, transmission and distribution of power in Nagaland.
Addressing the 50 glorious years of public service of Power Department at the NBCC Convention Hall here this afternoon, Zeliang said the per capita consumption in the state is only about 250 units which is amongst the lowest in the country, indicative of the state poor economy.
“Consumption of electrical power is an indicator of progress in the agricultural, industrial and commercial sectors, and also of the well being of the people,” he said.
Pointing that State’s transmission and distribution handling capacity is about 110 Mega Watt (MW), he however expressed that the state’s own generation is negligible and the power requirement is met largely with import from outside. This status of power sector should be a challenge for all stake holders, be it the policy makers, planners or the technocrats, he said.
Stating that a comprehensive Power Policy is required to give direction for coordinated development of generation, transmission and distribution of power in the state, he called on the power department to initiate the process of framing a new state policy at the earliest, which will meet the requirements and challenges of the 21st century.
The Chief Minister maintained that as a State with very weak revenue, the performance of Power Department impacts the overall revenue base of the State. He also said that it has been a big concern of the State government how to narrow down the widening revenue gap between the cost of power purchase and the revenue accrual.
Expressing that while there are some factors, such as poor infrastructure and organizational deficiencies for this gap, he said much needs to be done to contain the commercial losses, he said that the mindset of people and the society towards public utilities and tampering of meter boxes and power theft should be done away with. The second step, he said, is to effect system improvement in transmission and distribution through the use of latest management technique.
On the occasion, the CM also released the jubilee souvenir of the department.
Minister for Power, C Kipili Sangtam expressed concern that the state does not have a power policy to enable systematic and coordinated development of power sector.
“With a comprehensive power policy in place we will be in a better position to plan and develop, will deal with issues arising out of our land holding system to facilitate a land acquisition for generation project, ‘right of way’ for transmission and distribution lines with fair and reasonable compensations,” he said.
The state government is looking for fruition of the 180 MW Dikhu project on a public private partnership mode, for which negotiation on land acquisition is in progress with land owners, he said.
Besides, detailed project report for Tizu and Zungki is under preparation and the department shall explore all possible funding option to develop these two potential hydro projects, he said, adding that the department will also explore the possibility of coal or gas based generation projects on confirmation of available reserve and notified regulation modules.
He said that due to lack of adequate funding support, development of transmission and transformation capacity has been a bottleneck to increasing availability, restricting demand and growth.
However, the North Eastern Regional Power Grid System Improvement Projects (NERPSIP) funded by World Bank and Government of India have been cleared by the Ministry of Power and is due for implementation very soon. This would double the existing capacity of transmission and sub-transmission network of the state, he added.
Chief Engineer (Transmission & Generation) K. Miachieo said that the pioneers of the department strived to deliver power to the people, initially through diesel generating sets and later from grid supply. He said that the department commissioned the first small hydro project on March 28, 1978, the 1.5 MW Dzuza Hydro Electric Project. He also stated that the state achieved 100% electrification in 1988.
Rtd. Chief Engineers of the Department, I. Lanu Toy, S.I. Longkumer and D.A. Shishak also spoke on the occasion. They expressed that the primary and ultimate purpose and goal of power engineers is to make adequate, stable and cheap power available to the consumers and that this priority should not be sacrificed at any cost.
Chaired by Secretary (Power) K. I. Yanger, IAS the celebration commenced with Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü pronouncing blessing while V. Nakhro and friends entertained the gathering with special number and Additional Chief Engineer (D&R) Imli Ao delivered the vote of thanks.
