The first meeting of the District Electricity Committee (DEC), Department of Power, Nagaland, was held at the DC’s Conference Hall, Dimapur, on August 19 under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha MP S. Supongmeren Jamir.
The Department of Power presented an overview of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), a Ministry of Power initiative aimed at improving electricity supply, strengthening distribution infrastructure, reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses and improving the financial sustainability of the power sector.
The committee reviewed smart metering, loss-reduction works, transformer installation and upgradation, 11 kV and 33 kV lines, reconductoring, cabling and electrification of left-out households. Sanctioned works in Dimapur include new and upgraded 11 kV lines, distribution transformers, reconductoring of 11 kV and 33 kV lines and HT cabling, with a total sanctioned cost of about Rs 459.22 crore.
Smart metering was discussed in detail, including consumer resistance and implementation challenges. Jamir sought clarification on difficulties faced during installation and stressed the need for greater public awareness and coordination.
Across Nagaland, 3,17,210 consumer meters, 6,276 DT meters, 24 boundary meters and 368 feeder meters have been awarded. In Dimapur, 76,368 consumer meters, 1,574 DT meters, three boundary meters and 52 feeder meters were awarded. As of August 14, 21,568 consumer meters, 386 DT meters and 44 feeder meters had been installed.
The meeting also reviewed PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with 473 of 826 rooftop solar applications completed, totalling 1.58 MW.
As of August 12, Rs 115.84 crore under the Centre’s component and Rs 13.55 crore under the State component had been released and utilised. The committee stressed timely implementation, quality control and resolution of right-of-way and land-related issues.
