Dimapur, May 3 (EMN): Advisor for Information Technology and Communications, Science and Technology, New and Renewable Energy (NRE), Mmhonlumo Kikon on Monday inaugurated a one megawatt hydro electric project at Tsütsüng, Longsa village in Mokokchung district, which was commissioned by the department of NRE.
The advisor stated that the chief minister had accepted ‘in principal’ the proposal to hand over the hydro project to Longsa village which will enable the village to manage and generate power on their own.
Kikon stated that it was a ‘historic day’ as the project was completed and commissioned, asserting that the project was also a sign of good things to happen in the days to come. He added that the completion of the project showed the ‘commitment of the government’, a press statement informed.
Kikon said that the plan to handover the project to Longsa Village Council was a move to take communitisation a step further and involve the people in managing the project. Similar projects will also be emulated in other villages so that the public can pay a part in ownership and management of common public properties, it stated.
He further said that the present one megawatt (2x500 kW) will be upgraded to 5 megawatt in through the installation of solar panels in the project site.
CEO of Investment and Development Authority of Nagaland (IDAN) and former chief secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, speaking at the inauguration programme, said that the hydro project was a long cherished dream of his late father, NI Jamir.
Jamir said that commissioning the project was a great leap for the people of Longsa as the village will be managing the project as a private power sector.
Stating that the power plant will be a first of its kind in Nagaland, Jamir said that it will also generate employment and revenue for the Longsa villagers. He therefore urged the villagers to use the power plant judiciously and manage it properly so that everyone can be benefited through it.
NRE Director Kimaba, while presenting the technical report, said that the project started in 2012 and was completed in 2017. However due to ‘some technical problems’ and the pandemic, the project restarted in 2021.
After many trial runs, the project was finally commissioned on May 3, said the director.