Manipur announces measures to improve power situation

Manipur Government has announced a number of measures to improve power situation in the state during the 12th Five Year Plan. Special attention will be paid to the implementation of the much awaited 66-Megawatt Loktak Downstream Hyro-Electric Project. The 1500- Megawatt Tipaimukh Multipurpose Project will also be given top priority during the Plan period.

AIR correspondent reports, Manipur is reeling under acute power shortage. Even in the capital city Imphal, load shading is a routine and people get only two hours’ power supply in a day. The state government is well aware of

the fact that there is a lot of dissatisfaction among the people over the state of power supply. The government has now identified the power sector as the thrust area after careful consideration of the economic and social changes. To improve the performance of the power sector, the transmission and distribution network is being revamped and systemic reforms is being introduced. The government has also initiated austerity measures and collection of revenue particularly from the power sector has been picked up. For the first time in the state , pre-paid power connection has been introduced in a phased manner. The system has covered the commercial area of the Imphal city from the first week of this month. This will cover the entire state if the exercise proves successful.