SHILLONG: Delay in the implementation of power projects in the State came in for criticism in the Assembly on Friday, with UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh alleging that for any power project mooted in the State the delay starts right from the stage of its conceptualization and subsequent survey and investigation.
Raising the issue during Question Hour on Friday, Mawthoh referred to the Myntdu-Leshka Hydro Electric Project (MLHEP) in Jaintia Hills, and said that the exercise of survey and investigation of the project had begun way back in 1975.
“The implementation only started in 2004 after a long gap of 24 years since it was conceptualized,” the Nongthymmai legislator said.
The legislator also sought to know the reasons behind the unusual delay by the private developers in implementing as many as eight hydel power projects in the State.
“The agreement with the private developers was signed in 2007. Six years have already gone by since the agreement was signed,” Mawthoh said.
Defending the Government, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma reasoned that the delay was due to a combination of various factors.
“Normally, the survey and identification for any major hydel project should be completed within a span of two to three years,” Sangma said.
The Chief Minister informed that out of the eight projects awarded to private developers, only one mini-hydel project is under construction.
Reading out the status of the various projects, Sangma said that the preparation of the Detailed Project Report for the 57 MW Umduna hydel project is expected to be completed within October this year while the DPR for the 69 MW Umjiew project is in its final stages.
Speaking about the Kynshi Stage I, he said that the DPR has been completed and the Government was awaiting clearance from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and the Central Water Commission (CWC).
The Chief Minister also stated that the survey and investigation for the Kynshi Stage II is in the advanced stage, and added that the DPR for the 85 MW Mawphu hydel project would be completed by next year.
There are four thermal power projects allotted to private developers Sangma said, adding that the survey, investigation and DPR preparation for two of the projects have been completed.
On the proposed 240 MW thermal project at village Era Aning near Nangalbibra, the Chief Minister informed that the DPR has been completed and the Government was waiting for the clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Chief Minister also informed the House that the Government was exploring coal linkages for fuel supply for the 500 MW thermal project in East Garo Hills.
Replying to a supplementary question by Mawthoh on whether the Government can penalize the private developers if they fail to complete the projects within a stipulated time, the Chief Minister informed that the agreement contains penalty clauses to allow the Government to take action against the firm(s) for any delay in the implementation of the project.
