Mokokchung, November 24 (MExN): The All Ward Union Mokokchung Town (AWUMT) has expressed dismay at the short-closure of the 2x10 MVA project at Mokokchung Powerhouse, Salangtem Ward, owing to a procedural delays while issuing an office memorandum.
The substation project along with the 2x5 MVA at IMDH Medical Colony was executed by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID) under the North Eastern Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP) scheme.
According to a press release from the AWUMT, while the substation at Medical Colony is nearing completion, construction of the other at Salangtem Ward could not start due to objection by the landowner claiming compensation. “There was an urgency to resolve the landowner issue as the Ministry of Power, Government of India had on March 5, 2021 observed for short-closure of the project if the land issue remained unresolved within a month,” for which the Department of Power, Government of Nagaland sought the intervention of the District Administration, who in turn sought the cooperation of AWUMT to mediate with the landowner, it stated.
With the intervention of AWUMT, the land issue had been amicably settled with the landowner and the same was approved by the State Land Acquisition Authority (SLAA) of the Government of Nagaland on October 6, 2021 which was notified on November 3, 2021. As such, AWUMT was eagerly hoping that the POWERGRID would resume its work immediately as the land issue had been resolved, the release stated.
However, contrary to its expectations, the AWUMT stated that “The intervening period between the SLAA meeting that was held on October 6 and issuing of its office memorandum on November 1 after a lapse of 24 days proved to be detrimental for the project,” as the Ministry of Power had on November 1, 2021 communicated to the Government of Nagaland for the short-closure of the project.
“Had the office memorandum been issued immediately after the SLAA meeting on October 6, the Ministry of Power could possibly have reconsidered the situation and not issue short-closure of the project which was communicated on November 1,” it said.
In this regard, the AWUMT, citing POWERGRID sources, stated that most of the necessary equipment for construction of the 2x10 MVA at Mokokchung Powerhouse, Salangtem Ward has reached Mokokchung. It also said that the land issue has been resolved and as such, expressed hope that the Government of Nagaland would find a way to have the project completed despite the circumstances surrounding it earlier on. “The people should not be victimized by the circumstances for no fault of theirs,” it added.
It meanwhile, acknowledged the Chief Minister of Nagaland for communicating with the Ministry of Power, requesting the resumption and continuation of the NERPSIP project and hoped that he would continue to impress upon the ministry to ensure that the project is brought to its fruition.
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