Severe loadshedding makes life miserable in valley

Special Correspondent

Silchar, Aug 26: The intermittent load-shedding in the entire Barak Valley has been further compounded by the cyclonic storm of last evening. As reported the gushing wind accompanied by rain that hit the three districts of the region took in its toll a number of trees, telephone and electricity polls. The uprooted trees in urban and rural areas have blocked the flow of vehicular traffic. Many vehicles have also been damaged. The movement of traffic could be made after the clearance of fallen trees on the roads. The NDRF and SDRF teams swung into action to remove the debris and help the personnel of different departments to restore the telephone and electricity services.

 According to a report from Karimganj, the power has been restored in the border town with many rural areas still to have the electricity. In the district of Hailakandi, restoration of power has been possible in the town and other areas are also being gradually brought under its cover.

 Though the short duration drizzles did cool down the temperature from 37o Celsius to 27o Celsius, but prolong load-shedding virtually made life miserable. This town was plunged into total darkness with business shops and establishments bringing down their shutters early. People preferred to retire indoors. But, it was not comfortable for many as the invertors could no more take the load. Generator sets too could not continue to operate. According to reports, the Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd. (APDCL) could restore power in isolated manner, depending upon the restoration of spped power lines and also setting right the transformers which also got affected by the storm.

 Niranjan Paul, assistant general mager, Silchar division, APDCL, giving a brief account of the scerio of the areas under his jurisdiction, said the worst affected areas by the storm are Rongpur, Sadarghat, Steamerghat Road, Malugram, Kakpur, Vivekanda Road, Ashram Road, Meherpur, gatilla and Uttar Krishpur. By midnight restoration of power is expected in the entire town. He admitted the availability of power from different sources has been at the reduced level. Moreover, the normal supply by APDCL has also been crippled by the shortage of infrastructure which he expects will be improved to supply power uninterrupted. But, the power crisis will take a critical turn unless, as he said, its pileferage continues, particularly in rural areas.

 In fact, Barak Valley has been hit by frequent load-shedding for the last few days with no plausible explation from the APDCL. Sarbanda Sonowal, Chief Minister, has gone on record to say that the supply of power in the state will be regular from August. Later on, he however clarified it will be not possible before 2017. Common people have the impression that the legacy of Assam State Electricity Board (ASEB) for all the ills continues to haunt APDCL. It is difficult to say when the things will really improve.

 After the Palata power project in Tripura came on steam, much hope has been generated about the availability of power for this region. According to the agreement signed between APDCL and Palata power project, the supply of power to be made available to this valley will be to the tune of 125 MW. Even, the supply from Tripura plant has not been regular and to the level agreed upon. As said by a top official of APDCL, the daily requirement of power for this valley is 100 MW whereas it is getting only 80 MW.