ITANAGAR :  The reported disappearance of two 25-metre-high steel power transmission towers and an entire stretch of an alternative electricity transmission line in Lower Dibang Valley has raised serious concerns over the security and monitoring of public infrastructure in Arunachal Pradesh.

The missing towers were located across the Sisiri River between Aohali and Dambuk. Constructed under the Government of India’s Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme at a reported cost of more than ₹3 crore, the infrastructure formed part of the 11 kV transmission line that supplied electricity to Dambuk and Paglam subdivisions through the Pasighat-Mebo feeder until 2022.

The line continued to function as a backup after the commissioning of an XLPE cable-based transmission system across the Dibang River in 2022, providing an alternative source of electricity whenever the primary network developed faults.

According to sources, the matter came to light after recurring faults in the XLPE cable system led to prolonged power disruptions in Dambuk subdivision. With the 132 kV transmission line being constructed by Powergrid yet to be commissioned, the disappearance of the standby transmission line has reportedly left Dambuk and Paglam subdivisions dependent on a single power supply network.

Sources said the towers were last seen around one-and-a-half years ago. Local residents reportedly remained unaware of their disappearance, attributing frequent power outages during the monsoon to landslides and other seasonal disruptions.

The incident has raised several unanswered questions, including whether the infrastructure was dismantled under an authorised plan or stolen. As of now, there is no information on whether any First Information Report (FIR) or formal complaint has been lodged in connection with the matter.

The transmission line was commissioned on April 21, 2015, when then Power Minister Tanga Byaling inaugurated the power supply to Dambuk subdivision. In 2022, the power network was upgraded with an 11 kV overhead line and a 185 sq mm three-core 11 kV XLPE cable laid along the Dibang (Sikang) Bridge, connecting Dambuk directly to the 132 kV substation at Roing to improve the reliability of power supply.

However, the older transmission line reportedly continued to serve as a crucial backup during outages.

As of the filing of this report, the Power Department had not issued any official statement clarifying whether the towers and transmission line had been dismantled under an approved plan or whether their disappearance was the result of theft or any other unlawful act. It also remained unclear whether any departmental inquiry had been initiated into the matter.