Dimapur, May 30 (MExN): Even as Nagaland grapples with deteriorating power outages, a former minister in the Democratic Alliance of Nagaland Government (DAN) has disclosed that the government had actually proposed a 100MW thermal power station for which 20 acres of land was even purchased. What happened to the project is known only to the DAN government, Congress leader K Therie stated in a press release received here today.
The former Finance minister called it ‘unfortunate’ that the government has not yet realized the need of energy to sustain and support the growth of “civilization.” The State has no policy “other than load-shedding programs”. Making the citizens suffer in the heat and the closing all small scale industries that depend on the supply of energy, he stated, has caused losses in terms of immeasurable health and wealth.
“Since Hydro power projects will take 6-7 years to develop, we have proposed for 100MW Thermal Power station based on either naphtha or coal. 20 acres of land was purchased. Perhaps GOI has paid partly to BHEL to provide equipments. What has happened to the project is known to the 9 years old DAN Govt.”
Therie recalled 11 year ago that a NEREB meeting had projected Nagaland’s requirement for electricity by 2012 at 120MW. The State requires 110MW at peak in the present situation but the department is sustaining with 36MW; nothing has been added in 10 years’ time, he said. “Year by year the situation is worsening but it appears DAN government is least worried. Nagaland has tolerant people.”
According to Therie, the Congress government laid down a policy to achieve the required generation and commissioned the 20 years ongoing Mini Hydro Projects such as Dzulakie, Tsutha, Tehok and Likhimro, all sometime in 2001 and 2002. “We gave all our support to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation for the 75MW Doyang Hydro Project and it was inaugurated in 2002. We are entitled to 12% free power of the total generation from DHP. All could hardly produce 34MW during summer and hardly 10Mw during dry days. Thus, we are running short by 100MW during peak,” the former NPF minister said.
He said that the sub-stations in Dimapur, Kohima, Mokockchung and Kiphire were augmented and 132KV transmission circuits connected to all districts. 17 substations in Dimapur were augmented with mostly capacities of 5MW. “We also have brought over 76Crs to upgrade transmission lines at Dimapur. We started the Mini-Hydro Project at Lang, have completed Dikhu Hydro Electric Project of 120MW, NHPC has given preliminary project report for Tizu-¬Zumki basin for 150MW while Tizu Valley Hydro project for 15MW was ready.”
The leader rued at the serious lack of political vision, commitment and capacity of the government. “By 2022 we will be requiring about 250MW, if we do not plan today, it will be too late. This is not a big issue for the nation. We need their blessing to do it. Blessings come through prayer and good relations and not the way NPF fought in the Manipur election,” he remarked.
