Hybrid project lights up Phungyar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 03 2009: Under the sustained initiative of the Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) to build environment friendly and economically viable wind-solar hydrid power projects in interior areas of Manipur, two such projects have been commissioned at Phungyar sub-divisional headquarters today.

The two projects of capacity 10 KW each have brought smiles to the villagers.

Installation work of the two projects started in June this year and the same were completed in October.

The inaugural function held today was graced by MANIREDA Chairman AN Jha as chief guest.

Solar panel, officials of MANIREDA and district admn at Phungyar

The projects were jointly taken up by the village energy committee and MANIREDA with a firm determination to tide over the difficulties and inconveniences of irregular electricity supply at Phungyar Hqs, located about 100 kms away from Imphal.

The two projects have come as sweet Christmas gifts to the people.

The wind-solar hydrid projects have started supply electricity to 200 households of the village, the two churches, SDO office and quarter and Primary Health Sub-Centre.

With the commissioning of the projects, Phungyar streets are no longer dark during night for 28 street lamps have been installed.

One villager AS Paiso said gratefully that because of the MANIREDA's initiative, two electric bulbs are now lighting up his home.

"My son can now read books at night and we can enjoy our dinner under the bright light of electric bulb", said Paiso joyfully.

Phungyar village is already an electrified village but electricity supply was quite irregular to much annoyance of the villagers.

But with the commissioning of the hydrid projects, streets lamps have lit up the streets, making people feel much safer while commuting at night, Paiso said.

Speaking at the inaugural function, MANIREDA Chairman AN Jha said that projects taken up by the Government may be noble and beneficial to the people but such projects often met with failures in the absence of people's cooperation and support.

Saying this, he sought people's cooperation and support to Government sponsored projects.

The world has changed much but Phungyar seemed caught in a time warp with the people suffering from water, electricity and transport infrastructure woes just as they did 20 years back, AN Jha said who was once posted in Ukhrul as Deputy Commissioner way back in 1987 .

MANIREDA Director L Manglem said that four villagers have been trained to run the power projects.

He also assured to work towards raising the output of the hydrid projects provided the villagers cooperate and run the projects properly.

MPCC(I) secretary Victor Keishing while noting that people of other villages have started looking at Phungyar with awe as the village is all lit up in the night, called upon the villagers with discipline.

Village chairman and village energy committee chairman AS Shimrishang said that each household having electricity connection to the hydrid projects were made to deposit Rs 300 each.

The committee has also decided to levy tax of Rs 35 per month per bulb.

The inaugural function was also attended by SDO Ukhrul and Ukhrul DC in-charge R Sudan and Phungyar SDO Yang Peter.