Shillong, Aug 11: Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh flagged forest stretches in Ri-Bhoi as a major electrocution risk and said the government is working on a plan to address the problem within a few days.
The statement came after three children died in a recent electrocution incident in Ri-Bhoi. The government has paid Rs 2.5 lakh compensation to each victim’s family as per policy, Lyngdoh said.
“It was very unfortunate to note that there was an accident where three precious lives were lost,” he said.
The minister specifically pointed to the transmission line between Stage III and Nongpoh, which runs through a dense forest belt.
“This is one area where, in Ri-Bhoi in particular, the transmission line has to go through very thick forests in the entire stretch,” Lyngdoh told reporters. “So, we are trying to work it out now. That’s why I’m first telling you that perhaps in a few days’ time we’ll be able to come out with some solution,” he added.
He said such lines become highly vulnerable during cyclones and heavy monsoon storms when trees fall or branches snap onto conductors.
“The line has to go through a very dense forest and so we can’t avoid it whenever there’s some sort of cyclone or heavy storm. It’s bound to happen. These are unforeseen things, though the department is trying its best to see that those things can be avoided,” he added.
Lyngdoh said the government is also working on new plans to improve the overall performance of Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) in generation, transmission and distribution.
“MeECL as a whole has been a very old unit. We have to move it in such a way that the overall performance of MeECL should be up to the expectation of the people of the state,” he said. He added that the CMD of MeECL has been asked to submit detailed plans following discussions with the department. A technical review of ageing units and infrastructure is also being carried out.
On current power availability, the minister said all units are operational and new projects are being pursued. He said more details on generation, transmission and distribution plans will be shared in about a week after the department finalises them.
