The repeated stretches of load shedding, for the moment in abeyance, in Meghalaya make no sense as the state has a number of different sources of electricity generation, adviser to the United Democratic Party (UDP) and nominated MDC Bindo Lanong has told Highland Post.
Only a few days ago, load shedding was scrapped after the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd (MeECL) took measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply.
Meghalaya, unusually for the state, had to undergo weeks of power cuts despite the good monsoon it has experienced so far. The load shedding was necessitated because of the non-functionality of four units, which left a shortfall of 110 MW. In addition, Meghalaya was contracted to provide power to other states as part of ‘electricity banking’ deals it had made.
“There was a time when Meghalaya was part of Assam and we were solely dependent on the Sonapani Mini Hydel Electric Project but we never faced such a power crisis like the recent scenario,” Lanong said.
Even though the population was smaller and draws on the electricity grid fewer, Lanong said that many new power plants have sprung up since the 1960s, such as those at Byrnihat, Umiam, Leshka, Garampani as well as those in Garo Hills, but the power supply scenario continues to be inadequate.
“People are paying enormous electricity bills every month but the maintenance is so poor. My question is why do we have to have frequent load shedding and what for? Where is all the revenue generated going?” he questioned.
