Erratic power supply haunts Arunachal

The reported leakage of a tunnel at Ranganadi Hydroelectric Project (RHEP) and consequent shutting down of the electricity supply is hampering the lives of the common people in Arunachal Pradesh.

According to sources here, while RHEP had been supplying 74 MW to the 100 MW needs of the entire NE states, Arunachal's need is pegged at 12 MW. Presently it is said that the state is managing with a meagre 2.5 MW central allocation.

The shortage has particularly hit Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kurung Kumey and some parts of Papum Pare districts.

In Lower Subansiri district headquarters Ziro, there were reports of massive loadshedding and citizens were receiving little power supply in a day.

Sources further informed that 'massive exercise' had been initiated by the power department to restore normalcy urgently.

Principals of various colleges and schools in Lower Subansiri district said, ''Power failure is affecting the students and they are not been able to study properly.'' Shopkeepers and businessmen said their businesses had been suffering heavy losses since they were forced to close their shops earlier than the scheduled timings.

The ire of the people was not particularly towards the unforeseen circumstances of the North Eastern Electrical Power Corporation (NEEPCO) and it's shutting down but due to lack of maintainance.

Lower Subansiri district has two micro-hydels at Tago with 4.5 MW and Mai with 2 MW capacities with 7 turbines. Out of them, only 2 turbines were functional while the rest were defective and not in use.

On the acute power shortage and the alternative arrangements, officials said more than 45 days would be required to bring back normalcy.

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