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Much has been said about the erratic power supply in Nagaland. While the citizens are rueing frequent power cuts, the government has cited several issues, like theft, non payment of electricity bills, unauthorised connections, etc., for its inability to provide uninterrupted electricity. On one hand, people continue to suffer, with those in urban areas like Dimapur reeling under the heat wave, forcing school authorities to extend the summer vacation and hampering business operations, while those in remote areas hardly get a few hours of electricity in a day. On the other hand, the state is spending up to the tune of INR 300 crore annually, as per government reports, on power purchases from neighbouring states. This is eating into the state exchequer, which otherwise could be utilised for other developmental projects. These are real issues that should not be left unaddressed, as the situation is not going to get any better with power consumption continuing to increase each passing year. Talks about industrial development and attracting investors will be rendered useless unless the state addresses issues as basic as irregular power supply and communications, besides resolving the Naga political issue. This calls for the state government and the citizens to go beyond the blame game, allegations and counter allegations, and find a solution through collaboration.
It is imperative for the government of Nagaland to invest in the power sector, not only to solve the ever-increasing power crisis but also to boost the manufacturing sector and generate employment. Currently, the state has the Doyang Hydro Electric Project with a capacity to generating 75 MW, while the Likimro Hydro Electric Project is said to be generating way below its capacity of 24 MW. This is against the state’s current peak demand of 180 MW. However, the Dikhu Hydro Electric Project (HEP) is expected to generate 186 MW during the peak monsoon season, which means it will largely solve the state’s energy crisis if it comes to fruition. But it is likely to be shelved if it fails to take off before the March 2025 deadline. This is why the government’s fresh attempt to revive the stalled INR 1900 crore project through consultations with stakeholders holds significance. To break the impasse, the concerned department should clear the land acquisition and displacement doubts of the villagers in the vicinity with hard facts and ensure that they are not affected. It is also important to look into environmental aspects and the possible damage it could cause to paddy fields. The villagers, on the other hand, should look at the long-term benefit of the project, which can act as a catalyst for development in the region besides solving the state’s power crisis. In short, the benefits will outweigh the damage.