Imphal: Power Minister Thongam Biswajit Singh today inaugurated the first of its kind 2×10 MVA, 33/11 KV Gas Insulated Sub-Station (GIS) at Thongju Part II under the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP).
Addressing the inaugural function of the sub-station as the chief guest, the Minister expressed his gratitude to the staff and officials of both Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) and the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) for their tireless effort to improve power supply quality in the State.
He said that the inauguration of the first of its kind GIS sub-station in the State is also an achievement of the companies. He continued that this will also help in ensuring reliable and quality power supply in the area.
Stating that this GIS sub-station has several advantages over the
conventional sub-stations, the Power Minister said that the newly inaugurated sub- station requires around only 10 per cent space of a conventional substation. It will also protect from pollution, reduce switching overvoltages, economical and maintenance-free. The GIS sub-station has also other advantages over the conventional AIS as it will increase safety, low Gas Pressure, Superior Arc Interruption, among others.
Biswajit continued that the State has managed to reduce the ATC losses of the State to 20.27 per cent against the State’s own target of 21 per cent. He said the ATC was as high as 45percent in the past. He continued that the State is further targeting to bring it down to 12-15 per cent by 2023-24.
Meanwhile, speaking on the government and the department’s effort to tap the huge natural resources lying unused in the State, the Minister said that sites for 29 mini-hydropower projects have been identified. He continued that we cannot bring development into the State without utilizing our huge natural resources.
Minister Biswajit, who is also in charge of Trade, Commerce and Industries appealed to the people to promote local merchandise and utilise handloom products. He said that if our entire population utilise even one item of our handloom products each, we can improve the livelihood of the State’s artisans.
He said that Manipur is today witnessing industrial growth for which reliable and quality power supply is much needed. Deputy Chairman Manipur Planning Board and Keirao A/C MLA L.Rameshwor Meetei lauded the staff and officials of the two companies for their untiring efforts.
Emphasizing the importance of quality power supply in the
industrialization of a society, the MLA said that the improvement in power supply witnessed in the State over the past few years has helped the youth of the State in their small scale business endeavours. He said due to the ongoing pandemic, many of our youth who were working outside have returned to the State. These youth are
now opening small scale businesses like poultry farming, fish farming, etc.
Commissioner Power, K.Raghumani said that the power sector has
witnessed a great change over the past three years in the State. Today, people are enjoying a 24x7uninterrupted power supply, he continued. The company is also collecting more revenue with the installation of the prepaid meters There are a total of 5.02 lakh power consumers in the State now, out of which 3.34lakh prepaid meters have already been installed and activated, he said adding that due to the
improvement in power supply we are witnessing an industrial growth in the State.
He continued that under the government’s SAUBHAGYA scheme,
electrification of rural areas had been undertaken. Delivering the key-note address, Managing Director MSPCL, N.Sarat said that the inauguration of the GIS sub-station in the State today is an important landmark in the power sector of the State. The scheme was funded by the Government of India and the World Bank on a 50:50 basis. He continued that 13 similar sub-stations will be inaugurated at the
earliest.
The MD further said that today we have inaugurated many power sub-
stations in the State, however, for financial sustainability, revenue collection needs to be strong and that the people should also understand this.
The GIS at Thongju Part II, Imphal will cater for the power requirement of the surrounding villages of Thongju Part I/II, Kyamgei, Pheijaleitong, Koirou, Ningomthong, Kha Naorem Leikai, Canchipur, Langthabal Kunja, Bashikhong etc, etc with good quality and reliable power and loading pressure on the nearby 33/11 kV sub-station at Kakwa, Monsangei and Kongba will be reduced extensively. It can also serve as an alternate source of power for Manipur University in case of exigency. Today’s inaugural function was also attended by MSPDCL MD Ng
Subhachandra, officials of Power Grid, MSPDCL and MSPCL among others.
