Fed up with outages, Spiti residents demand regular power supply

Residents of the Spiti valley in Lahaul and Spiti district have raised concern over frequent power outages, which, they say, are badly affecting both daily life and the region’s vital tourism sector. Power disruptions have become a routine affair, with outages occurring several times a day, impacting residents and businesses alike.

The residents of the region, including students and tourism stakeholders, are the worst affected by these outages. Tenzin Namka, a local resident, expressed frustration, stating, “Power outages have become a major issue in Spiti. It’s not only a problem for the locals but also for the tourism industry, which relies heavily on steady electricity supply.” The tourism sector, in particular, has taken a hit, with hoteliers and homestay owners finding it challenging to run their establishments without reliable electricity.

Sonam Dolma, pradhan of Kaza gram panchayat, emphasised the urgency of the issue, highlighting that the locals have been demanding an additional power transmission line from Kinnaur to Spiti to prevent frequent disruptions. “The long distance between Kinnaur and Kaza is one of the main reasons for the power supply failures. The current lines, installed on electric poles, are prone to disruption,” said Dolma. She called on the state government to expedite the installation of a new transmission line to ensure a steady power supply to the region.

Kunga Bodh, a Zila Parishad member of Lahaul and Spiti, also voiced his concerns, urging the authorities to find a permanent solution to the recurring power outages.

In response to these concerns, Manish Arya, XEN of the HP State Electricity Board at Spiti, provided some insight into the region’s power generation issues. Arya explained that the local powerhouse at Rongtong, with a capacity of 2 MW, is currently generating only 500 KW daily due to a lack of sufficient water resources in the region. Furthermore, the current power line from Kinnaur to Spiti, which covers a long distance, is prone to frequent disruptions.

Despite these challenges, Arya reassured the public that the department is doing it’s best to provide a stable power supply. “The process to sanction a new power transmission line from Kinnaur to Spiti is underway and we are working to strengthen the power infrastructure in the region in the coming years,” he said.

With these efforts underway, residents hope that the region will soon have a more reliable power supply, ensuring the smooth functioning of everyday life and supporting the Spiti valley’s growing tourism industry.

Himachal Tribune