Mein pushes for faster power reforms, reviews delays in Arunachal’s transmission overhaul

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 18, 2025

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein chaired a high-level review meeting on Thursday in Namsai to assess the progress of the Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) System in the state. The meeting, held at the DC’s Conference Hall, lasted over five hours, underscoring the urgency and importance the government places on modernizing the state’s power infrastructure.

The review session, which began at 3 PM and concluded at 8:30 PM, focused on accelerating implementation across various districts. The scheme, critical to improving power supply in remote and underserved areas, is a cornerstone of the state’s long-term energy and infrastructure goals.

Mein closely examined the status of ongoing projects, sought updates on progress, and questioned officials on the reasons behind delays. He stressed the need for a well-coordinated approach among all stakeholders—PowerGrid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL), the Power Department, district administrations, and local legislators.

“In recent years, we’ve intensified our efforts to develop Arunachal’s power sector,” Mein said. “With several hydropower projects underway, it’s crucial that our T&D network is ready for immediate power evacuation and reliable distribution.”

The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that the transmission backbone must evolve alongside generation capacity to prevent future bottlenecks. He instructed PGCIL to expedite pending works and ensure the Comprehensive Scheme is completed on schedule.

He also called for stronger field-level coordination, urging PGCIL to work closely with the local administration and involve area legislators to ease land acquisition and community-level execution challenges.

The meeting highlighted the government’s broader agenda: strengthening energy security, enabling industrial and economic development, and improving living standards through uninterrupted electricity access.

In a positive development, officials informed the gathering that three major projects were successfully commissioned on Thursday. These include the 33 kV side of the 132 kV Niglok Sub-station, the 33 kV Niglok–Ruskin Line, and the 33 kV Oyan Sub-station—marking significant milestones under the comprehensive T&D scheme.

The review was attended by Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor, Advisor to Minister (Power) Jikke Tako, and several MLAs, along with senior officials from PGCIL, the Power Department, and district administrations. Key technical heads including Chief Engineers and PCCF P Subramanium were also present, reinforcing the state’s unified push toward building a resilient and future-ready power grid.

The government reiterated its commitment to fast-tracking infrastructure, unlocking the full potential of Arunachal’s hydropower capacity, and ensuring sustainable, inclusive growth.