Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 6
The Department of Power Nagaland (DoPN) has sought the cooperation of the public for unhindered installation of new electricity distribution infrastructure.
The DoPN made the appeal at a meeting with leaders of the different colony councils in Dimapur on October 6. The meeting was chaired by the Deputy Commissioner Sushil Kumar Patel at his office.
The department is in the midst of implementing the Central government’s Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS). The scheme’s scope of works include the revamping of the existing electricity distribution system- installing new transformers and upgrading overloaded ones, strengthening of 11Kv distribution lines and replacing rotting poles and metering alongwith renovation of 2 major sub-stations.
A good chunk of the project fund is concentrated in Dimapur, which the DoPN regards as the most revenue intensive and conversely, a complaint intensive distribution centre in the state.
The department has recently started erecting new electric poles, which will replace the now aging and rusting poles found all across town. This component of the IPDS has been started at Duncan Basti.
“Bigger and stronger conductors (lines) will be strung to minimise the risk of weather-related breakage,” said a DoPN official at the meeting.
While the ongoing improvement works was acknowledged as a much needed initiative, a lack of space in already narrow streets was a concern pointed out. K Ghokheto Chophy, vice president, Naga Council Dimapur asserted that the department should ensure that the electric poles do not become an impediment to vehicular traffic.
Finding space to erect the new infrastructure has turned out to be big challenge as the lines have to pass alongside narrow yet arterial roads.
The department said that overcoming the space problem requires a cooperative public to avoid hindrances that would delay work. “A major impediment to infrastructural improvement is on account of congestion of areas. Streets are getting narrower, which leaves no room for (distribution) network expansion both on and above the ground,” said Additional Chief Engineer, Keviletuo Yiese.
He said that the rate at which Dimapur is growing only calls for augmenting the electricity distribution system. This, he said, requires the cooperation of all, including the public.
Superintending Engineer, Transmission & Revenue Moa Aier said that the demand for electricity in the past 30 years has grown tremendously. From a demand of 15-20MW 30 years ago, today the peak demand is 110-120MW, he said, while admitting that rarely has the peak demand been met.
An engineer of the department highlighted the on field practical difficulties on the sidelines of the meeting. He said that situations would arise when poles would have to be installed well off the streets. “It would often call for erecting poles in close proximity or touching the perimeter walls of private residences,” he said, while adding that such situations place the workers in a quandary often delaying the work.
