Solar power blessing for un-electrified villages
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 18: Even after 60 years of independence of the country, a large number of villages in Manipur are yet to get power connection and the people are still depending on pine wood pieces, candles and kerosene oil to light up their houses.

In such a situation, the Solar Photo Voltaic (SPV) system introduced by Manipur Renewable Energy Development Agency (MANIREDA) has come as a boon for many people who are living in far flung and remote areas.

Villagers off-loading solar panels from the Barak river bank in Tipaimukh area and (inset) a solar lamp being put up in a far flung village

In accordance to the 2001 Census, there are altogether 2320 villages in Manipur out of which 1206 villages or 52 percent of the villages, are yet to be electrified as on March 3, 2006 and out of the 1206 unelectrified villages, 99 percent, i.e 1193 villages are located in remote hill areas, a reliable source said.

As per the policy of the Government of India, power security is to be provided to all the villages by 2009 and to every households by 2012.However, in the present scenario of Manipur, whether this target would be achieved or not is a big question, the source added.

In addition to shortage of power supply, prohibitive cost of transmission lines in remote areas and difficulty in maintenance of the same are some of the other obstacles hampering power connectivity to these villages, it said.

However, inspite of the Govt failure in providing electricity to the remote areas, the solar lighting system of MANIREDA has brought a ray of hope, nay light to the villagers who can now light up their houses and watch TV in the comfort of their homes.

Talking to The Sangai Express in this regard, Director (Manireda) L Manglem said the agency has till date provided 136 solar lighting system in various hill districts and its benefit to the people.

People of the village or the household where solar lighting system has been installed appreciated the efforts of MANIREDA and they take care of the lighting system as a valuable property.

When asked why the system has not been able to cover many villages which are yet to be electrified, the Director informed that although many application are being received, the system could not be installed without the clearance of the Power Department.

Although the Government of India has given the instruction for identifying the villages which come under the jurisdiction of the Power Department but can be covered by MANIREDA, the same has not yet be finalised, the Director disclosed.

On other tasks being taken up by MANIREDA, the Director informed that work on construction of a mini-hydel project having the capacity of generating 5 Kilowatt of power has already been started at Sadar Zoute village in Senapati district along with formation of a Village Energy Committee.

The required labour and materials of the project which would take care of the power requirement of the village are being provided by the villagers themselves and the technical support, machines and other equipments by the agency, the Director said, adding that the project is expected to be completed by October this year.

As in previous years, MANIREDA would be observed Rajiv Gandhi Akshay Diwas (Renewable Energy Day) August 20 to create mass awareness on the importance and use of renewable energy sources.