NONGTOIN: It has been over three and a half years that the survey and investigation for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Kynshi Hydro Electric Power Project started after the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed in 2007 but developments in this front is yet to be seen.
After many allegations against the Government in regard with the allotment of a Private Firm, the Government led by Regional Force under the Umbrella of MPA scrapped the MOA but it faced a crucial time when the NGOs from West Khasi Hills organized a series of agitations in demanding the Project to be retained, to which the Government paid no heed.
After the Congress came back to power and formed the Government under MUA, the Government once again retained the project by signing the addendum in 2010 with some modifications of the MOA.
The Athena Power Private Limited which was allotted by the Government for developing and commissioning of the Project was on a Joint Venture on BOOT mode.
The Private Company once again faced a tough time due to the delayed culture with no other than the Government of Meghalaya in respect of Land Acquisition process.
In fact the Company had sent an application to the Disaster and Revenue Department Govt. of Meghalaya since the Month of May, this year but till date the matter was lying pending with the concerned Department for not less than six months.
Speaking to the Media at Nongstoin, H Lyngdoh, president of Land owners Association affected by the project expressed concern over the activities of the Government.
In this regard, he stated that in the beginning they did not agree to handover the Project to the Private Company but after they saw that the activities of the company was highly appreciable, they did not hesitate to sign the report, expecting that land compensation will be given in due time.
The Land Owners Association is planning to meet the Chief Minister by putting pressure on him to intervene in the matter.
It may be mentioned here that the Government of Meghalaya allotted two stages of Project at Kynshi River. The Stage-1 allotted to Athena Power Private Limited whereas, the Stage-II was allotted to Jay Pee Group, but the Jay Pee group had abandoned the project due to the objection made by the Atomic Energy as the Project will affect the Uranium prone area till confluence point of the Dam Axis.
Therefore, the Stage-I project which was allotted to Athena Power Private Limited is expected to be implemented at the earliest.