By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: With a number of power projects in the pipeline, the State Government is hopeful that power shortage and the annual load shedding in the State would be a thing of the past.
The State Government is currently working on as many as five power projects – the Myntdu-Leshka project (126 MW), the Umngot project (240 MW), the Umtru project (40 MW), the Ganol project (21.5 MW) and the Lakroh mini project (1500 kW).
The Myntdu-Leshka project is currently generating power from its first and second units. Commissioning of the third and final stage will generate additional 42 MW of power for the State. Implementation of the Umngot Hydel project, which spans both Khasi and Jaintia Hills, is being delayed owing to opposition by the local residents in Khasi Hills fearing that their land and houses would be submerged.
Incidentally, residents of Jaintia Hills have expressed their support for the ambitious project.
With regards to the Umtru project, officials from the MeECL claimed that the first unit of the project would be commissioned by December 2014. The officials also informed that there is a proposal to build a new dam as the existing dam is around forty years old. The estimated budget of the project is Rs 226 crore but the budget is currently being revised, the officials stated.
Tender work for the Ganol project in Garo Hills is in its last stage and the construction is likely to start in January next year, the officials said, while adding that the land survey for the project is over but certain conflicts have emerged over the ownership of land. The Government is also hopeful that the Lakroh mini hydel project in Jaintia Hills would come out with any glitches even as the construction is scheduled to start on January next year.
Last year, the State Government revived and commissioned the British-era Sonapani mini hydro electric project (1.54 MW), which added valuable energy to the State’s power kitty. Along with the planned projects, the State is also expected to get a share of 79 MW of power from the Palantana power plant in Tripura. The Centre also assured that it would provide an additional 25 MW of power to the State.