Dimapur, July 7 (MExN): The Chang Students’ Union of N.A.P Sector, Tuensang has in an open letter to the Chief Engineer Power pointed out that it was forced to verify physically the sustaining problems at Power Transmission Sub-Station Tuensang, located at N.A.P Sector on 7th July 2010 since the concerned department had totally failed to fix the incumbent problems in the station.
“The Union has observed defects in critical systems such as all the three 66 KV incoming transformer breakers from Mokokchung, Kiphire and Main respectively are damaged and out of use (main transformer is directly connected without breaker as of now) and another three 33 KV out-going breakers meant for Tuensang, Longkhim and Main are also non-functional since last year. The Union also witnessed leakage of rain water in the control room due to cracks in building, the underground cable trench is laying naked, defective lightning receiver, no lighting system surrounding the station and not a single staff quarter”, stated the open letter issued by O. Somba President and I. Tochi Executive Chairman CSU NAP Sector, Tuensang..
The Union in it open letter also stated that it was “particularly unhappy with the way the department is dealing with the problems, as no sincere effort has been made to correct them” while stating that this was plainly evident from the fact that no engineer/official from the head office in Mokokchung has visited the station so far inspite of critical situations. Moreover, the station is currently manned by only three Jugalis (two from maintenance and one from transmission) and has no technician/engineer, SPO, CPO, JE and even a senior Lineman, the open letter informed. “We wonder if this is the department’s protocols”.
The open letter questioned that under what circumstances the department was showing apathy to the genuine needs of the people of Tuensang as the station is the sole facility where the entire district is dependent for power. “In the present condition, the station will be soon out of function as most of the systems are hanging in balance and may break down any moment. So then, who shall be responsible if whole Tuensang has to face power break-down for years (even replacing small village transformer takes years)”, the open letter stated. The Union has demanded the concern department to immediately correct the defects highlighted here and depute all the required staffs as per the strength of the station. In the meantime, the department should take necessary steps to bring this Transmission Sub-Station under Tuensang Division from Mokokchung Division. The Union strongly believed that the power department under the Chief Engineer shall take appropriate measures to address the grave concerns raise above.
