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Alleges electrical dept of apathy
Morung Express News
Dimapur | October 2
Supply shortage coupled with under-strength distribution set up continues to be the primary problems nagging the electricity sector in Nagaland state. While the former as a problem is as old as the Power department itself, the latter of late has taken centre stage and on set to become a huge liability soon if not addressed with earnestness.
As predicted by engineers of the Power department, the incidence rate of distribution transformers breaking down has drastically increased over the past couple of years with the number of breakdowns overtaking availability of replacements by a huge margin. It, in simple terms, means extended blackouts whenever transformers go kaput anywhere in the state. In yet another clear display of an under-strength distribution network, at least three localities in Dimapur have been without electricity for over four days after a 500kVA transformer broke down. The transformer in question broke down on September 28 cutting off supply to parts of Duncan Basti, Supply colony and Landmark colony (formerly PWD).
The transformer reportedly encountered “technical breakdown” and had to be sent for repairs. A replacement of a lower capacity (250kVA) was put in place on September 30 as a temporary measure but it also broke down no sooner than it was installed. The problem – it could not sustain the load demand of the affected areas. Subsequently, a second replacement was requisitioned and installed. It worked albeit on condition of load shedding.
While one official maintained the department is doing its best to restore normal supply, exasperated consumers of the affected areas have accused the department of irresponsibility and apathy. One consumer said that inquiries made with the complaints cell in concern were met with “inquire from the head office (Nagarjan)” response.
“I understand it is hard to get replacements. But the department should have been responsible enough to let the consumers know and understand the situation. No one is taking responsibility,” said the exasperated consumer, adding that the department was still to issue any public notice.
s regards the load-shedding, the consumer said that the lights came back on Sunday morning for around 5 minutes and then for another brief period around church time only to go off for most of the remaining day.
Repairing the damaged transformer, as per a department official, is likely to take another week. The official, while acknowledging the consumers’ plight, said that it is very difficult to find ready replacements in the 500kVA range.
Stating that the stand-in 250kVA transformer was working, the official informed that load shedding will be imposed during the day and total shutdown during the night till the 500kVA transformed is restored.
