Nongpoh, July 14: Frequent power outages in Ri Bhoi continue to create serious hardships for residents and small business owners, with many alleging that the long-standing issue has remained unresolved despite repeated complaints.
One of those affected is Bah Heibormi Pathaw, a resident of Umsning, who runs a Common Service Centre (CSC), a photocopy (Xerox) shop, and also sells ice cream, refreshments and fresh milk from his dairy farm.
Speaking to the media, Bah Heibormi said the prolonged and frequent power cuts, particularly over the past two to three weeks, have severely affected his business. He explained that the milk he stores in a refrigerator often spoils because of the repeated outages, forcing him to replace products for customers who complained about the quality.
He said the losses have become substantial, as he not only has to discard spoiled milk but also bears the cost of compensating customers. His ice cream business has also been affected due to the lack of uninterrupted electricity.
Bah Heibormi said many residents are facing similar problems but are reluctant to speak out publicly, choosing instead to discuss the issue privately. He said he decided to raise the matter on behalf of the wider public.
According to him, the recurring power cuts in Umsning have reached an unacceptable level, and he urged the Meghalaya Government and the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) to take immediate steps to restore a reliable power supply.
Expressing his frustration over the continued losses, Bah Heibormi said he even posted a WhatsApp status warning that he would bring the spoiled milk and melted ice cream to the MeECL office to demonstrate the financial damage caused by the department’s failure to address the persistent electricity disruptions.
Residents of Ri Bhoi have also expressed concern that power outages have become increasingly frequent in recent months, with the situation reportedly worsening over the last two to three weeks, disrupting businesses as well as daily life.
They have appealed to the authorities to take urgent corrective measures to ensure a stable and uninterrupted power supply in the district.
