HANM urges Govt to address power issue in Ri Bhoi District

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 27, 2024

The Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) on Friday requested Power Minister AT Mondal’s intervention into the problem of power supply faced by the people of Ri Bhoi district.

In a memorandum submitted to Mondal, the HANM Ri Bhoi District said, “Despite the district’s critical role in power generation for the state, it continues to suffer from frequent and extended power disruptions, severely affecting the lives of the people and the development of the region.”

Ri Bhoi became a full-fledged district on June 4, 1992, with Nongpoh as its headquarters. Over the years, the population has grown steadily, leading to increased demand for electricity.

“Currently, Nongpoh is reliant on a single 33KV Umsning-Jyntru power line, which is grossly inadequate for a district of this size and importance. With more than 400 villages and approximately 25,000+ households dependent on this aging infrastructure, there is an urgent need for a 132KV power substation to meet the growing demand and reduce the frequency of power failures,” it said.

Stating that Ri Bhoi District is home to five major power stations, the HANM said together, these stations generate 216 MW of electricity, making Ri Bhoi the largest producer of electricity in Meghalaya. However, despite this significant contribution, the district, especially Nongpoh, continues to face frequent power cuts.

These disruptions sometimes last two to three days or more, crippling daily life, businesses, and essential services, it said, adding that the over-reliance on a 33KV line has severely limited the district’s ability to meet its growing electricity demands. Moreover, these outages have caused disparities between the rich and the poor, as wealthier families can afford alternative power sources such as generators and solar power, while poorer households are left in darkness, unable to charge even their mobile phones—a basic necessity in modern times. This has widened the social gap and created a deep sense of inequality within the district.

It further stated that Nongpoh, being the district headquarters, is home to several key institutions, including the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, the Superintendent of Police Office, the District & Sessions Court, Nongpoh, the Civil Hospital Nongpoh, the Nursing Institute in Pahamsyiem, Ri Bhoi College, and various other government department offices, schools, banks, and business establishments. The frequent power disruptions have severely impacted the functioning of these institutions and affected public services, education, and healthcare.

“Despite numerous appeals and complaints to the government and the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), no concrete steps have been taken to resolve this issue. The people of Ri Bhoi District are being unjustly neglected, despite their contribution to the state’s electricity generation,” the HANM stated in the letter.

In light of these concerns, the HANM has urged the state government to take immediate steps to address the issue by establishing a 132KV power substation to cater to the district’s increasing demand for electricity and provide a stable, reliable power supply.

It also requested the government to instruct MeECL to prioritize improving electricity distribution in Ri Bhoi District, especially in areas like Nongpoh that are prone to frequent and extended outages.

According to the HANM, there is a need to create a system to address electricity-related complaints promptly, ensuring that the concerns of the people are heard and acted upon.