SHILLONG: Meghalaya tops the list of projects related to improvement of power scenario in the Northeast.
NEC is funding 14 projects in Meghalaya, 8 each in Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Sikkim, two in Assam, 10 in Mizoram, 7 in Nagaland, and four in Tripura.
The estimated cost of the projects is Rs. 49904.62 lakh.
The NEC has so far released an amount of Rs. 31248.86 lakh for the States.
A review meeting was held by NEC officials on Thursday to discuss the power projects in the Northeast.
State Governments of the North East have been asked to complete the 61 NEC funded projects in the region during the Regional Plan for the Power Sector meet held at the NEC headquarters here on Thursday.
Ameising Luikham, Secretary, NEC said that NEC has been funding the Hydro Power Projects in past but at present NEC is funding only projects which include construction of transmission lines, augmentation and improvement of existing transmission and distribution system, construction of 33kv express lines, construction of sub-stations, renovation and modernization of sub-stations,and electrification of tribal villages among others.
The meeting which was attended by officers from NEEPCO, NERPC, CWC and PGCIL, was held under the chairmanship of MP Bezbarua , Member, NEC.
NEC Secretary urged the state governments of the region to complete the projects within the stipulated time frame.
The holding up of Lower Subansiri power plant due to various social agitations was viewed with concern during the meet for it could have far reaching implications.
A concern was also raised by the PGCIL and other States regarding the Indian Electricity Act wherein the purchase of land for the right of way for any transmission is not allowed.
This is supposedly causing delays in the construction of transmission lines.
The issue of forest clearance was another factor responsible for delays.