"Development should happen in a step-by-step manner and that we should understand the two companies were in the infancy stage. Considering public interests, the cost of per unit electricity has been kept low in the state as compared to the average cost in other North-Eastern states," he said.

The minister stated that politicians alone cannot bring development and that every individual has a responsibility towards the society.

Biswajit also assured that power sub-stations in Tamenglong and Gamphazol will also be completed by June 2022. Stating further that the present government believes in reaching out to the last mile to bring development, he recounted some of his visits to the interior parts of the hill districts.

Further explaining the benefits of the UJALA scheme, the Minister urged the public to use LED bulbs provided to domestic consumers at subsidized rates under the scheme. He said that the old heated bulbs emit toxic gases and it is also not so effective. He said LED bulbs will help in the conservation of energy and save money through reduced power bills.

The minister also expressed that usage of the High Tension Low Sag (HTLS) Conductor in the state will minimize the sagging of wire in the hill areas.

He continued that approximately 3.9 lakh prepaid meters have been installed and activated in the state as a part of good governance to bring transparency and accountability. There is a target to complete more than 70 per cent by March 2022. He said for discussion with the Centre if the names of the locations of the three power sub-stations can be altered or appended with proper locations. 

Manipur State Power Company Limited (MSPCL) managing director N Sarat explained that the North Eastern System Power System improvement Project (NERPSIP) is a Central Sector Scheme for strengthening of the Intra State Transmission and Distribution System in six States of NER (Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, and Nagaland) at an estimated cost of Rs 5111.33 crore. The scheme is being funded by the Government of India and the World Bank on 50:50 basis. The project is being executed by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited in favour of the six NER states.

Sarat said that the original project cost for Manipur State is Rs 442.22 crore and later the same was revised to Rs 638.72 Crore. The scope of work, among others, includes i) construction of two numbers of 132/33 kV Sub-Station at Gamphazol & Tamenglong, ii) construction of thirteen nos. of 33/11 kV Sub-Station at Hiyangthang, Keithelmanbi, Top Khongangkhong, Andro, Kwakta, Leimapokpam, Porompat, Thangal, Sanjembam, Lamphel, Takyel and Thongju, ii) capacity augmentation of 132/33 kV Sub-Station at Ningthoukhong, Jiribam, Kongba & Ukhrul and iv) capacity augmentation of twenty-two numbers of 33/11 kV Sub-Stations. On completion of the project, there will be a total enhancement of transformation capacity of 361.9MVA (132/33 kV new Sub-Station 60 MVA, 132/33 KV Sub-Station capacity augmentation 72.5 MVA, 33/11 kV new Sub-Station- 115.72 MVA, and 33/11 kV Sub- Station capacity augmentation -143.5 MVA).

He said out of the 13 new 33/11 kV Sub-Stations, Sub-Station at Hiyangthang, Keithelmanbi, Top Khongangkhong, Andro, Kwakta, Leimapokpam, Porompat, Thangal, Sanjembam, and Thongju is completed whereas Sub-Station at Lamphel & Takyel is in good progress. Further capacity augmentation of three numbers of 132 kV at Kongba, Hundung(Ukhrul) & Jiribam along with capacity augmentation twenty-two numbers of the 33 kV Sub-Station is completed whereas capacity augmentation of Ningthoukhong is in good progress However, PGCIL assures to complete the construction of 20 MVA, 132/33 kV Sub-Station at Tamenglong and 2x20 MVA, 132/33 kV Sub-Station at Gamphazol by June 2022.

The inaugural function was attended by chairman MSPDCL and LDA, MLA Kshetrigao A/C Shri N Indrajit Singh, Manipur State Power Distribution Company Ltd. (MSPDCL) managing director, Ng Subhachandra, Powergrid general manager H Rajen among others.