The electrical infrastructure at Police Reserve Colony serving the affected colonies in Wokha, where residents have been facing a prolonged power outage since September 4. (Morung Photo)
Residents ask department to check illegal connections, bill defaults
Morung Express News
Wokha | September 30
A replacement 100 kVA transformer has been issued to the Wokha Electrical Division for restoration of power supply to Police Reserve Colony, Chanka, NAP Camp and parts of Blue Hill Colony, where residents have been facing a prolonged outage since September 4.
Speaking to the media, Er Chenosing Kemp, Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Wokha, said the transformer serving the NAP Camp and public supply was damaged on September 4 and the repair process took nearly four weeks.
He said damaged transformers are repaired at the Central Store in Dimapur and that the department headquarters has recently introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), requiring divisions to obtain approval from the head office before receiving repaired transformers.
According to Kemp, the Wokha division submitted the required documents and informed headquarters about the situation, following which a 100 kVA transformer was issued. A vehicle has been sent to collect it, he said, adding that restoration work would begin once the transformer reaches Wokha and installation is completed.
Kemp said availability and the repair process at the central facility also contributed to the delay.
Meanwhile, residents said the prolonged outage has affected households, students, businesses and people dependent on electricity for their livelihood.
A representative of Chanka Colony said residents had approached the department several times but had not received a suitable response. He said the growing population and electricity consumption may have placed additional pressure on the existing transformers and urged the department to consider higher-capacity transformers.
A representative of Police Reserve Colony appealed for early restoration and said residents did not want the issue to escalate into agitation. He also raised concerns over the lack of proper fencing at some transformer sites, which he said could pose safety risks.
He further urged the department to conduct proper checks if non-payment of electricity bills or illegal connections were contributing to the problem, instead of allowing an entire locality to remain affected.
The outage has also created difficulties for students and educational institutions. A parent representative said the third evaluation and final syllabus coverage are underway, with students receiving project work and home assignments that require electricity, internet connectivity and electronic devices.
Another resident, speaking on behalf of the school, said the Financial Literacy Examination concluded on September 25, while the online submission portal was open from September 28 to 29. The absence of electricity created difficulties in completing submissions.
He said Class 10 regular, private and compartmental examination form submission is scheduled from October 1 to 17, while monthly tests are scheduled to begin from Monday. He added that question papers have had to be photocopied in the main town due to the lack of electricity.
Local businesses have also been affected, particularly those dealing in chicken, meat and fish, as the absence of functioning freezers has made it difficult to store perishable items. People dependent on electrical appliances for their livelihood have also faced difficulties.
On transformer failures, Kemp said overloading is one of the major factors and urged consumers to use electricity judiciously.
He said the department is working to augment the distribution system in view of the growing population and increased use of electrical appliances. Around six new 100 kVA transformers have reportedly been installed during the current year, with further augmentation to be undertaken wherever required.
Kemp also stressed the importance of smart meters, saying they can help consumers monitor electricity consumption and reduce unnecessary usage. He said the department has been conducting awareness programmes to encourage consumers to adopt smart meters, although some consumers have been reluctant.
“Improving the electricity supply system is not the responsibility of the department alone. Consumers also have an important role to play,” he said, urging the public to cooperate with the department’s programmes.
Meanwhile, the separate 25 kVA transformer supplying the Office of the Superintendent of Police and SP quarters belongs to the Police Department. Kemp said the damaged transformer had been taken to the repair centre, with the Electrical Division providing logistical assistance.
Residents have appealed to the department to expedite the restoration process and restore electricity at the earliest.
