Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 3
Without electricity for five complete days, exasperated consumers of three localities in Dimapur on the sixth day took to the streets today. Venting frustration, the consumers blockaded a busy road intersection near the West Police Station.
The blockade, which started at around 11:00 am, created a massive traffic jam as commuters taking the Dhobinalla-Firing stretch were caught unawares. The police, administration and Power department officials intervened as the consumers stuck to their demand for restoration of power supply at the earliest. “Either you (Power department) arrange a replacement or the blockade will continue,” was the consumers’ demand.
The blockade was eventually called off in the afternoon after the department assured to replace the stand-in 250kVA transformer. A 500kVA transformer had broken down on September 28 cutting off supply to parts of Duncan Basti, Supply colony and Landmark colony (formerly PWD). As a temporary measure, it was replaced with a 250kVA transformer, which according to the consumers was not of much help.
After the blockade, the smaller transformer was removed and a 500kVA capacity was put in place by evening. The Executive Engineer (EE), Dimapur Electrical Division, informed that it was a different transformer as the one which broke down was still under repair. According to the EE, the department was able to arrange a replacement earlier in the morning and was on set to install it when the agitation occurred unexpected.
One of the consumers said that they were told that supply should resume by 8:00 pm this evening but the power was still to come on well after the assured time. On this, the EE explained the transformer was put into circuit but there was an unforeseen problem with a power line emanating from the said transformer. Supply would be resumed as soon as the problem was rectified, the EE added.
