The Centre has decided to entrust the execution of the 60-MW Nangalbibra thermal project in Garo Hills to the Meghalaya State Electricity Board.
This was disclosed by Meghalaya Power Minister, Mr Grosswell Mylliemngap.
He told Shillong Times that during the recently held Power Ministers’ Conference in Delhi, the erstwhile Union Minister of State for Power, Mr P. Siv Shankar, communicated this decision to him. This marks an end of the long-drawn tug of war between the NEEPCO and the MSEB, NEEPCO, which is an appendage of the North Eastern Council, was initially entrusted with the project on the consideration that the project was of regional character and funds were being funneled from the regional pool.
The MSEB contested the decision on the ground that the Nangalbibra project unlike the Kopili hydep project, was well inside Meghalaya. The MSEB had the experience of setting up a 2×2.5 MW thermal plant at the same location. Besides, it had the necessary infrastructure including land, building roads.
Participating in the Power Minister’s meet, Mr Mylliemngap pleaded with the Centre to subsidise the loss incurred by the State in extending rural electrification. He said that the Rural Electrification Corporation should increase moratorium period for repayment of loan.