No power project in GH after 40 years of Statehood
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Even after 40 years of Statehood, Garo Hills is yet to have a power project of its own thanks to the lack of commitment on the part of the political leaders who have represented the region for the past so many years.
“Garo Hills is the only region which is yet to have a power project of its own while both Khasi and Jaintia Hills are having power projects namely Umiam Hydel Power Project and Leshka Hydel Power Project,” a senior bureaucrat in the Power department here on Monday.
The lack of commitment on the part of the political leaders from Garo Hills could be noticed from the fact that the Ganol Hydel Power Project which was conceptualized in the early 80s is yet to see the light of the day after so many years, the official said.
“The power requirement in Garo Hills at present is only 30 MW,” the official said adding that the power requirement would jump to around 50 MW in Garo Hills once the implementation of Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) is completed.
With the power requirement in Garo Hills is not very huge, he said that a minor hydel project for Garo Hills would have easily met its present power requirement.
The official further said, “If Garo Hills has its own power project then this problem of frequent breakdown would not have existed.”
“The frequent breakdown of power in Garo Hills is due to long transmission line,” he said.
It may be mentioned that the power is transmitted to Garo Hills through the 132-KV transmission line, which begins from Mawlai in East Khasi Hills.
Since the line passes through hilly and jungle terrain of Garo Hills, there is constant disruption of power in the area. The situation worsens during the monsoon.
The plan to start the Aghia-Nangalbibra transmission line has hit hurdles as the landowners in Assam refused to part with their land for the construction of towers.
“Meghalaya has completed the works on its portion and we are pursuing the matter with the authorities in Assam for the early completion of the project,” the government official said.