By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), while taking cognizance of the opposition of landowners, has proposed lowering the height of the proposed dam on the 240 MW Umngot hydro power project.
Senior MeECL engineer Elias Lyngdoh on Thursday stated that if the landowners were unwilling to part with their land the Corporation would reduce the height of the proposed dam.
The proposed power project, which is expected to solve the State’s power problems, has been opposed by local residents on the argument that their lands would be submerged if the proposed dam is constructed.
Residents of the area have termed the compensation of Rs 4.9 lakh per hectare as inadequate.
Lyngdoh, meanwhile, informed that the detailed project report has been prepared and total estimate of the project would come to around Rs 2000 crore.
“The DPR would be sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for clearance. Other formalities would also be completed before the tender for the project is floated,” he added.
The proposed project would cover an area of 390 hectares straddling both Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills districts and will be implemented by the MeECL over a period of five years.
Interestingly, the project is facing opposition from villagers in East Khasi Hills while people in Jaintia Hills district have welcomed the same.