Residents of villages under 33 KV Namrei have expressed serious concerns over the reported blackout they had been facing due to the alleged non-supply of electricity for the last five days.
When the Imphal Free Press contacted the villages under Namrei substation, they alleged that the acute shortage of manpower, particularly maintenance staff and vehicles is the main reason behind the failure of power supply in the area.
They had urged the state government to recruit more employees so that basic necessities such as electricity are not disturbed.
According to sources, the present power failure was due to a technical failure in between Talui 33 KV transmission and Namrei 33 KV under Chingai area. It may be stated that villages under Namrei power substation had been reportedly cut off from regular power supply since March 19.
Speaking to the Imphal Free Press, Rinkhan, who is a resident of Namrei substation alleged that power supply is very poor in the area particularly when it comes to maintenance.
“Standard of maintenance is extremely poor. Technical problems are bound to happen frequently. Timely intervention is so poor that the locals are made to suffer umpteen times because of this,” he said and questioned for how long are they to suffer.
Many have called for appointment of locals so that effective maintenance and uninterrupted power supply is ensured in the area.
Speaking to the IFP, MSPCL manager Themchan said that the 33KV Tolloi-Namrei-Jessami transmission line was unable to be charged from Tolloi station on Sunday at 12:35 pm, following which no power could be provided.
Due to long transmission lines, difficult terrains and breakdown of maintenance vehicles near Maram village has prolonged the work as per report from staff.
It may be mentioned that many locals of Namrei substation and Ukhrul district were found to be switching on their lights even in broad daylight.
Electricity department needs to conduct more awareness on the usage of electric current, Apam, a resident of Ukhrul town, said.
In the meantime, work is in progress to restore the power failure being faced by the villages under Namrei power substation by the Electricity department.
RKL president, Somipam told the Imphal Free Press that there has been continuous power shutdown for more than two weeks in Namrei Power station while Jessami power Station giving lots of difficulties to the consumers. When enquired, manager of MSPDCL informed that there is no power supply to the power station and mentioned that MSPDCL is in charge only for distribution, he said.
“When I called up the manager of MSPCL, he informed me that linemen are deployed to check the defected area but due to lack of manpower it is taking longer than expected... We request the authority concerned to deploy more technical assistance in the area for the welfare of the people especially the student community. We appeal to the authority concerned to look after the matter seriously or else the student bodies will launch stirs,” he added.
