Chizokho Vero
Chizami | January 21
CHIEF MINISTER Neiphiu Rio today switched-on what is likely to be the first community owned mini-hydel power project in the country at Chizami in Phek district and termed it as “a great achievement and good initiation”.
Switching-on the turbines of the 2x100KW Tuphaleri Mini-Hydel Power Project, at Tsukroki, Chizami, Sumi this morning, Rio asked the villagers to utilize this project in proper manner and realize the importance of ownership.
Rio also regretted that several hydro power projects have not been able to come up successfully in the State.
The unique feature of Tuphaleri Mini Hydel Power Project is that, it is the first hydel project in the State to use cross-flow turbines. This project, under the aegis of the Chizami Village Council and Sumi Village Council, costs Rs. 2.54 crore.
Rio called upon the villagers to extend their co-operation for the successful implementation of the government’s project and its policy.
Assuring the government’s best effort to assist community based projects in the State, Rio urged the villagers to manage the same on their own and set an example in the country.
Rio also reiterated that the government’ policies and its investment in the giant project would go in vain if there is no peaceful atmosphere in the society.
He called upon the villagers to maintain unity and peace for rapid development of the State.
“It is after a lapse of more than 50 years that community based mini hydel power project generation has picked up again in Nagaland. This is expected to usher in a paradigm shift for development of mini hydel power,” according to a Power Department source.
The first electricity generated or distributed in Nagaland were community based.
The Mini/Micro hydel in Jakhama, Kohima district and Waromung village, Mokokchung district during 1948-49 and 1953 respectively were the first mini/micro hydel power in the Naga Hills.
Both were entirely community based. After running successfully for some years, owing to the political conflict, both projects were forced to be abandoned and were ultimately destroyed during the conflict, the department sources said.
The Chief Minister also informed that the State Government was losing Rs. 25-30 crore annually in the power sector due to poor payment of electricity bills and power theft.
Lamenting over poor payments of bills and the prevailing practice of power theft, Rio emphasized for discontinuing such trends in order to ensure greater transparency and working in the system of power supply and its usage.
Minister for Home Thenucho, Minister for Agriculture & Printing & Stationery Kuzholuzo (Azo) Nienu, Parliamentary Secretaries Yitachu and Doshehe Y. Sema and host of dignitaries attended the function.
The function was chaired by T. Temjen Toy, Commissioner & Secretary Power.
Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy sources sanctioned the project with a capital subsidy of Rs 150 lakh during March 2001 and released a token amount of Rs 1 lakh as first installment.
Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency sanctioned a loan component of Rs 82 lakh during January 2002.
Morung Express News
