The hill district of Ukhrul in Manipur is currently grappling with frequent and prolonged power outages, plunging thousands of residents into daily hardship. The crisis, according to officials, stems largely from a severe shortage of technical line staff—with just 15 personnel deployed to maintain and manage power infrastructure across an expansive 2,200 square kilometre area.
A Crisis in Numbers
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Area Covered | 2,200 sq. km |
| Line Staff Available | 15 |
| Ideal Staff Requirement | 60–80 (as per estimated norms) |
| Affected Villages & Hamlets | Over 120 |
| Frequency of Power Cuts | 3–5 times a day |
| Average Duration of Blackouts | 4–10 hours |
Residents Struggle in the Dark
From schools and hospitals to businesses and homes, the lack of uninterrupted electricity is affecting daily life and critical services. In remote villages, power supply remains completely disrupted for days due to minor faults that go unrepaired owing to manpower limitations.
Local resident Shimreishang Vashum shared his frustration:
“When a transformer fails or a line goes down, it sometimes takes days before someone can even visit the site. We’re surviving on candlelight and diesel generators.”
Staff Overburdened, Infrastructure Failing
The existing 15 line staff are responsible for attending to breakdowns, repairs, pole replacements, and emergency callouts across treacherous terrain, often without adequate equipment or transportation.
A senior official from the Power Department, requesting anonymity, admitted:
“The staff-to-area ratio is beyond unsustainable. The line workers are doing their best, but the demand far outweighs capacity. We’ve raised requests for reinforcements multiple times.”
No Progress Despite Repeated Appeals
Local civil society groups and elected representatives have urged the state government to take urgent steps to address the manpower crisis. A memorandum submitted earlier this year to the Manipur State Power Distribution Company Limited (MSPDCL) highlighted the alarming situation, but no concrete action has followed.
Urgent Need for Government Intervention
Experts say the state must recruit additional line staff, upgrade outdated power infrastructure, and decentralize emergency repair units to sub-divisional levels. Without immediate intervention, the region risks further isolation and development setbacks.
Conclusion
The case of Ukhrul serves as a stark reminder of the urban-rural divide in infrastructure support. As the rest of the country talks about energy transition and smart grids, Ukhrul remains trapped in darkness—both literally and bureaucratically.