Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 19
The Government of Nagaland has begun formulating the necessary groundwork for two new power stations, one at Tizü-Zunki under Phek District and another at Dikhü River which flows through Mon and Mokokchung, which is envisaged to be established with an initial expected outlay of Rs 1400 crores approximately, in a bid to address the relentless power-deficiency problem in Nagaland, and hopefully, pave the way towards power self-reliance, highly-placed sources from the state Cabinet, on condition of anonymity, said. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) with an estimate of about Rs 1400 crores is being prepared, it was added.
However, the two projects on completion and subsequent instatement will go the Likimro Power Project way as the State Government has expressed willingness to privatize the two said projects, according to the source. In this connection it was informed that several private corporations have already approached the State Government for a ‘lease’ on the two projects.
According to available information, the project to be started at Tizü-Zunki under Phek District would carry a load of 140 Megawatts while the Hydel Project at Dikhu River would carry an approximate load of 151-160 Megawatts. It may be mentioned that Nagaland is the only state in the entire North-east Region which purchases more than 80% of its power requirement from external sources particularly the Central Grid and the North East Region Load Dispatch Center (NERLDC), Shillong grid. Interestingly, contrasting with this new development, it is also learnt that the Power Department, Government of India has issued a “caution notice” to the Nagaland Government for drawing excess power, more than that was required or allotted. No further details in regard to the mentioned issuance could be made available other than that it was issued two weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Secretary for Parliamentary affairs & Power, Doshehe Y Sema, when contacted confirmed of the matter. “I have personally visited the sites, one at Tizü-Zunki under Phek District and another at Dikhü River. The government is currently investigating and exploring the possibilities for the two projects which will help the power situation in Nagaland” Doshehe informed. “The two big projects are at Tizü-Zunki which will provide 140 Megawatts and in Dikhü River about 150 Megawatts. The government is actively interested in these two sites” Doshehe said.
Furthermore, it was reported that the government is also planning augmentation of Wokha district’s Doyang Hydro Power Project capacity in two-three phases. “I have personally undertaken a tour of the area on foot covering 12 to 30 kilometers and the two are the most promising sites to start the projects. The sweat soaked me and dried off me during the tour” Doshehe said in a lighter vein. He said that Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has a “very good” vision for the people and that development, under his leadership was only a manifestation of this aspiration.
On the deteriorating power situation in Nagaland, the Parliamentary Secretary said the government was at the moment hapless to address the problem and that the low power allocation to the state was due to depletion of water levels in the electricity-generating water reservoirs across the country. He added that monsoon would have to be awaited for the situation to improve. It may be mentioned that Doyang River and Dikhü River are two of the four most important rivers of Nagaland. The other two are Dhansari and Jhanji.
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