DHEMAJI, Sept 19 - Jonai subdivision in Dhemaji district, the easternmost part of north Assam bordering Arunachal Pradesh, has plunged into darkness for almost a week now as flood had damaged electric poles at Silasuti near Silapthar town on September 13 last.
The late flash flood at Silasuti uprooted 25 electric poles of Silapthar to Jonai 33 KV ground power line, caused complete disruption of power supply to Jonai subdivision. The Power department later managed to draw low intensity electric energy to Jonai through an 11 KV line, which is too inadequate to supply power in the greater area including Simenchapori, Telam, Laimekuri and Jonai headquarter.
The Power department officials, who appealed to the consumers to bear the brunt of the power crisis, said it would take more days to repair the damaged 33 KV power line. The Power department of Jonai is distributing low intensity power through its four 11 KV feathers for some few minutes in the day on alternate basis.
Stating that low intensity power supplied for a short time is not serving the purpose, the electric consumers of Jonai have urged the department officials to adopt alternative power supply measures during the crisis. They have suggested the authority to draw necessary power from Arunachal Pradesh through Ruksin town bound 33 KV lines.
Jonai subdivision needs about 4 MW power to energise its four 11 KV feathers covering rural areas of the subdivision, but officials said that it was receiving only 1.5 to 1.9 MW power during peak load hours.
So, increase power load sanction to Jonai subdivision is a long pending demand of the local consumers, which is unheard of by the authority. The irritated consumers have sharply condemned the alleged inactive role of the local MLA and MP (Lakhimpur Lok Sabha) in this regard.
Moreover, the consumers have also been demanding to erect a �tower line� to avoid power supply disruption caused by natural disasters. But, the State government is not putting attention towards the demand thanks to the indifferent attitude of the elected leaders.
Power is being supplied to Jonai subdivision from Dhemaji (Hatighar) 132 KV substation via Silapathar power house through a 33 KV landline.
