Power crisis hits Aruchal districts

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Aug 3: Eight districts in Aruchal Pradesh are likely to face power crisis as heavy landslides triggered by incessant rain has damaged the 132 kv Rangadi-Ziro transmission line at tower no 12.  Ziro-based Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL) Chief Mager ni Kojin informed that the likely shutdown of the transmission line could be for at least 15 days from the date of notice to be issued shortly.

The affected districts would be Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansisri, Kra Daadi, Kurung Kumey, East Siang, West Siang, Upper Siang and some parts of Papum Pare.

During the shutdown period, all feeder districts are to make altertive power arrangements from their own ends, he said.

The districts may face power supply problem without any intimation in the event of casualty like collapse of the transmission tower due to the unpredictable bad weather condition despite best effort being made by the agency to shift the tower. The tower no 12 located at Hoj-Potin area of 132kv Rangadi-Ziro transmission line is in a vulnerable condition since long due to the road widening activities carried out by PWD (Highway) for the construction of Trans Aruchal-Highway.

Meanwhile, the restoration work is going on in war footing for immediate shifting of the tower to safer location and to avoid power interruption to the eight districts.

The Power Grid has sought the cooperation of the people and administration to bear the inconveniences and provide all necessary administrative support in case of any emergency needs.