Ukhrul town hit by prolonged monsoon power outages as ageing grid and staffing gaps persist
Ukhrul faces repeated monsoon power cuts due to faults on a long 33 kV transmission line, delays in repairs and critical vacancies in technical staffing, with a
Ukhrul Town is once again dealing with prolonged power cuts during the monsoon season, as rain exposes weaknesses in the district’s power network. Residents say the outages return every year, disrupting everyday work and services when weather conditions are at their worst.
Faults along a long 33 kV line keep outages repeating
Officials point to the district’s dependence on a long 33 kV transmission line that runs from Hundung to the Ukhrul Khunjao 33/11 kV Substation and then onward to the Tolloi, Namrei and Jessami Substations. The line covers more than 100 kilometres through difficult terrain. Because the network is spread over such a distance, a fault anywhere along the route can interrupt supply to Ukhrul Town and the wider district.
One technical measure that could reduce unnecessary outages is upgrading relay protection systems at the Tolloi and Namrei substations. Officials say improving fault isolation through these relay upgrades is technically feasible, but the change has not yet been implemented.
Repairs can take longer during monsoon due to operational gaps
Another factor is how quickly technical teams can respond when major faults occur. The report notes there is no operational MSPCL office in either Ukhrul or Kamjong, so teams must travel from Imphal for repairs. During the monsoon, landslides, blocked roads and adverse weather can delay arrivals, extending power cuts well beyond what consumers expect.
Manpower shortages within the Ukhrul Division also add to the problem. Departmental figures mentioned in the report indicate that 102 Assistant Linesman posts are sanctioned but only 2 people are available. It also says the 34 sanctioned Linesman posts are vacant, and routine maintenance and emergency work are handled largely by a small group of daily wage workers. Power experts say low staffing makes preventive maintenance and quick restoration harder, especially in monsoon months when faults occur more often.
Officials have proposed multiple steps to improve reliability. These include upgrading the transformer at the Hundung 33/11 kV Substation, shifting the 11 kV Phalang Feeder so Hundung can focus on Ukhrul Town, recruiting additional Junior Technician Assistants on a daily wage basis, and planning a dedicated 33/11 kV Substation at Kaziphung, Hungpung with land support from the local authority. Residents say disruptions affect schools during exam periods, health facilities, businesses and government offices, and they are urging authorities to accelerate pending upgrades.
