Imlisanen Jamir
So much has been said about the energy crisis in Nagaland. But the recent directive issued by the Wokha Electrical Division of the State’s Power Department reveals just how dire the situation is.
In an order, the Executive Engineer of the Wokha Electrical Division minced no words in directing the public to refrain from put up lighting decorations this festive season.
The order restricted all colony councils and customers in Wokha from drawing extra power for decoration of streets/open spaces, Churches, houses etc during the upcoming festive season. This is unusual considering how enthusiastic the State’s people are in their festive decorations, and the possible backlash it might trigger.
According to the department, this directive was issued in view of the public distribution transformer being overloaded in all colonies of Wokha Town and villages. The department stated that there is eminent threat for breakdown of distribution transformers unless load restriction measure are undertaken.
While, this directive was specific to Wokha, the electricity distribution infrastructure in the State has been a shambles for years now. Combine this, with the ever increasing energy consumption, and what we have now are constant breakdowns.
According to the department, it has stepped up efforts to curb down on illegal power connections, meter tampering and usage without payment of bills. Raids are being conducted to check power theft. Also crucial now is the push for pre-paid meters for consumers, with the department on a campaign to convince the public of its advantages. These efforts, they hope will help in some way to alleviate the power crisis.
For now, though, the power crisis looms large over our heads. With a meager generating capacity of 26.54 MW, there is no alternative but to conserve energy, according to the Power Department. Generation capacity of the State, though bountiful, requires political will to come to fruition. Same is the case to upgrade the transmission and distribution infrastructure in Nagaland.
What’s left is a department clutching at straws to deliver energy to its consumers, and a State where stable power supply seems far off. The situation was summed up by the Wokha Electrical Division’s notice. Using a phrase taken out of the usual appeals from hapless organisations, it stated: “In the event of not complying and subsequent breakdown of public transformer, the undersigned Electrical Division will not be held responsible.”
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