Longsa (Mokokchung): In a big boost to the power sector and the first-of-its-kind project in Mokokchung, the department of New & Renewable Energy (NRE) commissioned a one-megawatt hydro-electric project at Tsütsüng, Longsa village. It was formally inaugurated by Advisor for IT&C, Science & Technology, NRE, Mmhonlumo Kikon on May 3. 

According to a DIPR report, the unique feature of this hydro project is that the government will formally hand over the plant to Longsa Village Council through a Memorandum of Understanding that will be signed within a short time.

The Advisor for NRE, Mmhonlumo informed the gathering that the Chief Minister has 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.

Advisor Kikon, while saying that it was a historic day as the project was completed and commissioned, asserted that the project was a great blessing to our state and it was also a sign of good things to happen in the days to come. He said that the completion of the project shows the commitment of the government. 

He also said that the plan to hand over the project to Longsa Village Council was a move to take the communitization a step further and involve the people in managing the project. This kind of handing over projects to Longsa village will also be emulated in other villages so that the public can play a part in the ownership and management of common public properties.  

He further said that the present one megawatt (2x500 kW) will be upgraded to 5 megawatts in the days to come through the installation of solar panels in the project site. 

Kikon also highly praised the Longsa villagers for their cooperation and support towards the department officials and the contractors which facilitated the project to be finally completed. 

CEO of IDAN and former chief secretary, Alemtemshi Jamir, while speaking at the inauguration programme, said that the hydro project was the long-cherished dream of his late father, NI Jamir. Alemtemshi 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. 

Saying that the power plant will be a first of its kind in Nagaland which will be run privately, Alemtemshi 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. 

NRE Director, Er Kimaba, while presenting the technical report, said that the project was started in 2012 and completed in 2017. However, due to some technical problems and also the pandemic, the project was started in 2021. After many trail runs, the project was finally commissioned on May 3, said the director. 

Others who spoke at the programme were RD Minister, Metsubo Jamir, Longsa village council chairman, Talichuba, Longsa Gazetted Officers Union president, Lipokonen Jamir, and others. The hydro project was dedicated by Moalenden Baptist Church Pastor, N. Imsu.