Shillong, Oct 13: The Deputy Commissioner of Ri Bhoi on Monday assured to take up Nongpoh’s chronic power crisis with the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) and to convene a joint meeting to find a long-term solution.
The assurance came after the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Nongpoh Circle, led by General Secretary Baiashan Kharshanlor, met the DC to highlight frequent power cuts in Nongpoh town and nearby areas.
The Union told the DC that its demand for a stable power supply and a 132/33 kV substation at Nongpoh is not new, but pending since 2012 when it was first raised along with other social organisations and headmen. The demand was reiterated through a memorandum and rally on November 3, 2023.
“Despite raising the issue for years, power disruption continues and has caused great hardship to residents, businesses, educational institutions and others,” the Union said.
The DC told the delegation that the issue cannot be resolved in a day, but he would follow up with MeECL and hold a joint meeting between the District Administration, MeECL and KSU leaders.
Welcoming the assurance, Kharshanlor said the power situation has turned into a daily hide-and-seek.
“The hide and seek game of electricity in Nongpoh has continued even though the Union has tried many times to apprise the District Administration to fix this issue,” he said.
He said small businesses are unable to bear the cost of generators and students preparing for exams are the worst affected.
“While the government encourages youth to start entrepreneurship, how will they work if there is no power when they need it?” he asked.
The KSU also sought to know why Nongpoh suffers more outages compared to industrial areas like Umiam and Byrnihat.
Stating that Nongpoh as the district headquarters needs reliable power for government offices, schools, hospitals and businesses, the Union said it expects the joint meeting to come out with clear decisions and a definite timeline.
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The post DC assures action as KSU flags 13-year-old power crisis in Nongpoh appeared first on Hub News.