As Meghalaya braces for a transformative overhaul in its power infrastructure, the state government has launched a Rs 900 crore development initiative under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at modernising the electricity network across the state. The ambitious project, spanning installation of nearly 2,600 new transformers, replacement of 3,800 kilometres of old wiring, and laying of 4,300 kilometres of new lines, is set to redefine power stability in Meghalaya.
Addressing public concerns over recent power disruptions in Shillong, Jowai, Tura, and other areas, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma clarified the situation. “I’ve been receiving some messages from the public, concerned about the frequent shutdowns that are taking place in the power supply in different locations…people are concerned why this kind of load shedding is taking place? I wanted to clarify to the people that this is not a load shedding. This is a regulated shutdown. And the main purpose of the shutdown is to implement the RDSS scheme, where close to 2,600 new transformers are being either replaced or being installed, 3,800 kilometres of old wires are being replaced. 4,300 kilometres of new lines are being laid. This is a Rs 900 crore project and implementation is going on. And for that to happen, the shutdown is necessary. We are ensuring that we minimise it and we’re also ensuring that we communicate to the people. But there is a communication gap where the message is not going to the grassroots. And I have requested MeECL and Power Department to ensure that a better communication system is done, so that information can reach to the people on time. But I just wanted to clarify that this is a necessary procedure, there will be slight inconvenience, but this has been done for the larger interest of more stable power in the future and for the larger interest of the people and the state.”
Power Minister Metbah Lyngdoh echoed the CM’s statement, highlighting proactive steps by the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to mitigate public inconvenience during the ongoing infrastructure revamp. “As of now the power supply is very smooth unless if there is any kind of maintenance which are happening. We have RDSS which is going on all over the state, so some shutdown here and there will be there,” he said, adding that officials have been directed to notify locality headmen and consumers well in advance: “I have instructed that advance information has to be passed on to the headmen and the consumers so that they can plan accordingly, maybe two or three days ahead if we do any kind of shutdown in any division or subdivision in any part of the State.”
Reassuring the public about the state’s power reliability, Lyngdoh said, “Signs show that we are in a very comfortable position now. Power scenarios as of now, I can say that we are in the right track in the corporation and the department. As a whole we are working together to ensure that the consumers shouldn’t be affected at any cost, be it in the peak hours or be it in off peak hours.”
Highlighting institutional reforms alongside infrastructure upgrades, Lyngdoh emphasised, “We are working together to bring back the MeECL into the right track and we are what we are because of the full participation and cooperation from all the stakeholders of the Department and the corporation. We are now in the right direction and we are moving to see that we will going to streamline the whole thing.”
With RDSS poised to modernise Meghalaya’s power grid, officials insist that temporary disruptions are a small price for long-term stability, signalling a decisive move toward robust energy infrastructure for the state.
