State-run Corporation to set up Mawphu Stage II, East Garo Hills thermal projects
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In an attempt to improve the power scenario in the State, a decision has been taken to hand over two more power projects to the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO).
Union Minister of State for Power, KC Venugopal, who is currently on a visit to the State, stated that the State-run NEEPCO will set up the 85-MW Mawphu Stage II Hydel Project and the 500-MW Thermal Power Project in East Garo Hills.
The Union Power Ministry had approved the agreements to be signed by Meghalaya with NEEPCO for setting up the two power projects with a combined capacity of 585 MW.
“NEEPCO has been directed to perform better this time than what they have done previously,” he said.
It was informed that one per cent of the project cost of the thermal project would be used for development works in the project area in East Garo Hills district and 80 per cent of the jobs generated by the projects would be reserved for locals.
It may be mentioned that NEEPCO is implementing stage I of the Mawphu project in the State.
“NEEPCO officials will soon hold discussions with the Chief Minister on the details of the two power projects in the State,” Venugopal said.
The State-run power company has reportedly selected Narengri in East Garo Hills district as the site for the thermal project. Coal required for the thermal plant would be brought from the neighbouring coal mines of South and East Garo Hills.
Pointing out that the North East region has tremendous hydel potentialities Venugopal admitted that the Power Ministry has not been able to tap the hydro-electric potentialities of the region.
During the review meeting of the parliamentary consultative committee here on Friday, Venugopal called for concerted efforts from all quarters in tapping the power potential of the region.
He expressed hope that the North East region can become the ‘power house of India’ and can transform the socio-economic conditions of its people, besides contributing immensely to the development of the nation as a whole.
The parliamentary delegation included Kailash Joshi, Ramkishun, Baidnath Prasad Mahato, Bhudeo Choudhary, Vishwa Mohan Kumar, besides others.