Jowai, Aug 26: As many as 18 villages under the Priang Substation in West Jaintia Hills have been without electricity since August 22 after 10-11 electric poles carrying the main 33 KV line collapsed near Lakadong village.
The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Kupli Area Circle, has demanded immediate restoration and slammed the MePDCL for its alleged apathy.
In a letter to the Assistant Executive Engineer, Shangpung Distribution Sub-Division, the Union said an inspection found the 33 KV line severely damaged. The Union had filed a written complaint on August 24, but officials reportedly said materials were unavailable and would have to be sourced from outside.
KSU said the prolonged outage has left students preparing for annual examinations in distress, while essential services including the police outpost, PHC and government offices are struggling to function.
Questioning the utility of the Shangpung Sub-Division if it lacks basic repair equipment, the KSU said, “If power to industrial companies is disrupted, it is restored within an hour. Why are rural areas neglected?”
President Balawan Suchiang and General Secretary Leikirichard Tyngkan sought personal intervention of the authorities for emergency restoration.
