Gasifier Power project to bring light of life to CCpur village

The power plant being activated with lighted torch
IMPHAL, Aug 26 : A Biomass Gasifier Power Project of 200 KW capacity, constructed at Songtal village, Guite Road in Churachandpur was dedi-cated to the people yester- day. 
The project is a joint venture of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India and the Department of ST and IT, Government of Manipur. MANIREDA is the implementing agency.
MANIREDA had earlier implemented similar Biomass Gasifier Power Projects, one each at Tora in Ukhrul district and Damdei in Churachandpur district.
The power project would be run with two generator sets of 100 KW capacity each. The generator sets may be fuelled by diesel or firewood or both. Using both firewood and diesel can reduce diesel consumption by 70 percent.
The Songtal Village Energy Committee has been entrusted the ownership and operational responsibilities of the project.
Two villagers have already been trained to operate the machinery at MS Trunker, Baroda. 
Before the biomass gasifier power project was commissioned, Songtal village having a total population of 1200, had never been electrified. 
About 20 years back, electric wires were put up in the village but electricity never reached the village. After sometime, the electric wires disappeared without any trace.
But in the Government records, Songtal village has been already electrified, some villagers said.
Although the project was dedicated to the people yesterday, it started supplying electricity to the village till 11 pm since a few days back.
Speaking as chief guest at the function, held to mark formal commissioning of the project at Songtal village yesterday, Power Minister Phungzathang Tonsing said that MANIREDA has successfully provided electricity within a short period to 150 villages under solar lighting system and another 28 villages under water pump system. MANIREDA would be working further to provide electricity extensively to all areas yet to be electrified, he said. 
The function was also attended by MANIREDA Chairman AN Jha as president and MANIREDA Member Secretary Ram Muivah as guest of honour.
MANIREDA Director L Manglem, Churachandpur DC Sumant Singh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest Amalkumar, ZRO president Thanglien Pao, SDO Thanlon, ZEO Churachandpur, Additional Director of Education (Hills) and chiefs of surrounding villages also attended the function of guests of honour.(TSE)