By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has expressed concern over the failure of the State to tap its resources for development of hydel power projects.
“We are all aware that the State is known for receiving the highest rainfall. It is pretty sad that we have not been able to retain the water which precipitates from Meghalaya for generation of power,” Dr Sangma said recently adding that the inability of the State to retain the water creates havoc in Bangladesh in the form of flood.
The Chief Minister however stated that the Government would take all possible steps to ensure that the various projects which have been identified in parts of the State see the light of the day.
Stating that the implementation of these hydel projects would not only improve the power scenario in the State but also generate employment, Dr Sangma said the power projects would also drastically slash rate of power per unit in the State.
“At present people are paying Rs 3.15 per unit of the electricity consumed. It is totally unjustified for them to part with such a huge amount when the State has so much potential to generate power,” the Chief Minister said.
While speaking on the employment generation
through these power projects, he said that there is an agreement in place with the various private power developers to allot the various contract for the civil work to local contractors while implementing the projects.
“We have also asked the companies to reserve all the non-technical jobs for the local population while asking the companies to make arrangements for sponsoring the local youth to undergo training for the various technical posts,” Dr Sangma said. The Government is looking forward to see the Kynshi Hydel Project and Mawphu Hydel Project implemented at the earliest.
Meanwhile, official sources on Sunday informed that the much delayed 270 MW Kynshi Hydel Power Project Stage I which is being implemented by the Hyderabad-based Athena Project Private Ltd is likely to take off by 2014.
“The firm has already started the ground work including survey of the area of the project,” an official said.
The official also informed that the firm has assigned Energy Infratech with the task of preparing the ‘Concept to Commissioning Services’ including pre-feasibility studies, pre-construction stage investigations, preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), environmental studies, preparation of tender drawings and documents, assistance in bid award of contract, acquisition of all statutory and non-statutory clearances, detailed design, construction drawings and project management services.
“At present the survey and investigation work is going on. The DPR would be submitted within this year,” the official said adding that the project has been targeted to be completed within 2017.
Meanwhile, the official also informed that Stage II of the Kynshi project has been further delayed since Jaypee Group, which is implementing the project, has been asked to shift the project site downstream by 3 km.
“The Government issued the directive to the Jaypee Group following a request from the Atomic Mineral Division (AMD) for shifting the site of Stage II since the area, which is rich in uranium deposits, would be otherwise submerged,” he said.
Earlier, the Government had signed an agreement with the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) for developing the 85 mega watt Mawphu hydro-electric project on Umiew River in East Khasi Hills district.
NEEPCO director (technical) Utpal Moral said the 85MW hydel project would cost around Rs 450 crore at Rs 5.5 crore per mega watt.