‘Crisis in Rajabala due to challenges in right-of-way for a 33/11 KV substation’
Shillong, May 16: Power situation in the remote plain belt areas of Garo Hills has improved substantially except in a few parts, including Rajabala, due to reasons not to be blamed on the authorities, according to power minister AT Mondal.
Speaking to reporters here on Thursday, the power minister gave certain clarifications regarding the state’s efforts to address the power crisis in Garo Hills, particularly in Rajabala.
He pointed out that significant progress has been made in plain-belt areas such as Phulbari and Tikrikilla while challenges persist in Rajabala due to lack of local cooperation in obtaining right-of-way for a crucial power substation sanctioned way back in 2015.
Despite repeated appeals, local cooperation was initially lacking, he said.
“Even in a Disha meeting via video conference, I had requested the hon’ble member from Rajabala to help with securing the right-of-way. I personally met the Nokma of Balachanda village after several attempts. He eventually came to my residence, and with his cooperation, the matter has now been resolved,” Mondal said.
Meanwhile, the long-delayed 33/11 KV substation at Lalmati, Rajabala is now on track for completion by August, he said.
The substation is part of the North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project (NERPSIP), sanctioned under World Bank funding in 2015.
Once operational, it will receive power from the 132/33 KV substation at Chibinang.
Meanwhile, recent upgrading of the substation at Hallidayganj has brought partial relief, with parts of Rajabala now receiving more stable supply, the minister said.
“Phulbari is currently receiving full voltage with fewer shutdowns, indicating improved infrastructure in the region,” he added.
Addressing concerns over prolonged outages, the minister clarified that earlier issues were widespread but have since been mitigated in most areas.
“Rajabala still faces interruptions because it is served by an old, overloaded line from Phulbari,” he said, adding that a dedicated power supply from the new Chibinang substation will soon ease the burden.
He also urged residents to avoid unauthorised electricity connections, which can overload transformers and cause failures.
“We are considering a local monitoring system through village committees to regulate motor usage, especially during peak periods like the eri cultivation season,” he said.
Mondal further reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring reliable electricity across all regions.
“It is not about my area or anyone else’s. My responsibility is to ensure balanced development from east to west, north to south. The suggestion that I’m apathetic to the plain belt is completely baseless,” he said.
