State in the throes of worst power crisis
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 11 2012:
In an unprecedented manner, Manipur is currently experiencing a situation of power crisis wherein the consumers could get no more than one and half hours of power supply in a day, that too erratically.
Talking to Hueiyen Lanpao, one top Engineer of the Electricity Department explained that in addition to a drastic decrease in the units of power provided from other power sectors outside the state, only around 25 to 30 megawatt of power could be received during day time these days.
Most of the power available has also been diverted for election related works, thus creating a situation where it is difficult even to ensure power supply for one and half hours to the consumers.
One of the main reasons for the drastic cut down in the state share of power from other hydro-power projects particularly those based in the North East is the shortage of water, the Engineer pointed out, adding that the problem has been further compounded as the state has no capacity of generating its required power.
The Engineer further explained that normally total requirement of power during peak hour at night in the state is around 160 to 170 megawatt.
But at present only around 50 to 55 megawatt of power is available.
Over-consumption of power by the consumers from the little being received through use of electrical appliances can lead to immediate disconnection of the power supply from outside power generating units and it takes at least half an hour to get re-connection.
So, to avoid disconnection, the power transmission needs to be switched off and on every now and then to discourage the consumers from excess use of power, the Engineer said.