The District Electricity Committee (DEC), chaired by Lok Sabha MP Supongmeren Jamir, reviewed the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Mokokchung district during a meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall on July 13.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner and Member Secretary of the committee Ajit Kumar Verma, Chief Engineer (Distribution & Revenue) Er Lobasang Jamir, officials of the Power Department, executing agencies and other committee members.
Reviewing the progress of the centrally sponsored scheme, the committee expressed concern over the slow pace of execution and directed the implementing agencies and contractors to accelerate the works to ensure completion within the scheduled deadline of December 2026.
The committee was informed that RDSS aims to strengthen the electricity distribution network, improve the quality and reliability of power supply, reduce Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses, modernise infrastructure and improve consumer services. The District Electricity Committee periodically reviews the implementation of power sector schemes, monitors service delivery and addresses consumer grievances at the district level.
According to the physical progress report as on June 30, 2026, several key components of the project remain substantially below the sanctioned targets.
Under the Replacement of Lengthy LT Network with HT Lines, 106.89 circuit kilometres (CKm) of new 11 kV HT line have been awarded, while 58.78 CKm have been erected.
For new distribution transformers, 37 units of 100 KVA three-phase transformers have been sanctioned, with 24 installed, while 67 units of 63 KVA three-phase transformers have been awarded, of which 42 have been erected.
For LT Aerial Bunched Cable (ABC) works, 43.59 CKm of LT ABC (3×50+1×35+1×16 sq. mm) have been awarded with 23.58 CKm completed, while 22.35 CKm of LT ABC (3×70+1×50+1×25 sq. mm) have been sanctioned and 12.35 CKm completed.
Under the 11 kV infrastructure for downlinking with NERPSIP, 29 CKm of new 11 kV line have been awarded, but no physical progress has been recorded so far.
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Similarly, under 11 kV reconductoring, 81 CKm of bare conductor reconductoring have been sanctioned, with only 12 CKm completed, while 50 CKm under MVCC reconductoring has recorded nil progress.
Under cabling works, involving replacement of LT bare conductors with LT ABC cables, 71.6 CKm have been awarded, of which only 17.10 CKm have been completed.
Likewise, under 33 kV reconductoring, 31 CKm have been sanctioned but no work has been completed.
Officials informed the committee that 104 new distribution transformer locations have been planned across Mokokchung district under RDSS to strengthen the distribution network. More than half of these locations have already been completed, while the remaining works are targeted for completion before December 2026.
The scheme also includes 71.6 kilometres of LT bare conductor replacement with AB cable, 131 kilometres of 11 kV reconductoring, strengthening of sub-transmission infrastructure and other distribution improvement works across the district.
Sharing the implementation status of the scheme, M. Basar, General Manager (Project), who is overseeing the execution of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) across six districts of Nagaland, informed the committee that the overall physical progress of the project has reached around 60 per cent, which includes only urban only as of now.
Basar said the project has encountered several challenges, particularly during the ongoing monsoon season. He stated that shutdowns, monsoon and transportation of materials in the hilly terrain have affected the pace of implementation. He also noted that shifting and installation of electrical infrastructure in such terrain remains a major challenge.
Despite these constraints, Basar said the client departments have extended full cooperation.
He further informed the committee that 104 new distribution transformer locations have been planned across Mokokchung district under RDSS, with works already completed in more than half of the locations. The project also includes 71.6 kilometres of LT bare conductor replacement with Aerial Bunched (AB) cables and around 131 kilometres of 11 kV reconductoring, besides other distribution strengthening works.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Er Achanger Aier, SDO, Electrical Department, Mokokchung Division, said 1,084 smart meters have so far been installed in Mokokchung town, covering all government offices, government quarters and around 500 private consumers across the 18 municipal wards.
He informed that Mokokchung town has approximately 13,000 electricity consumers, all of whom are proposed to be covered under the smart metering programme in phases. Across the Mokokchung Electrical Division, 1,473 smart meters have been installed against a sanctioned target of 32,388, while more than 40 consumers have also been covered in the Mokokchung Town area.
Aier said one of the major challenges in implementing the programme has been the misconception among consumers that smart meters automatically lead to higher electricity bills. Clarifying the issue, he said smart meters only record actual electricity consumption and do not increase billing. He stressed the need for greater public awareness to dispel such misconceptions.
He further informed that smart meters can operate in post-paid, pre-paid and net-metering modes, with the net-metering facility enabling consumers to integrate subsidised rooftop solar systems into the grid.
