SHILLONG: The work for the new Umtrew Hydro Power project is going on and the project is likely to be commissioned in December 2015.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Sunday, MeECL senior engineer Elias Lyngdoh said that the expected date of completion for the project is December 2015.
He said that the work is going on in full swing. It is learnt that the physical progress of the project is around 70 per cent.
The project once commissioned would add 40 MW of power to the State’s kitty which is facing acute shortage of power leading to load shedding.
Reacting to a query on the factors which led to the delay, Lyngdoh said the work was initially delayed due to court case on the matter of land.
It may be mentioned that the estimated budget of the project is around Rs 460 crore and a new dam has also been constructed over the Umtrew river in Byrnihat in addition to the existing old dam.
The most unique feature of the project is that is can produce good amount of power even during the lean season since it has a greater catchment area and even the water quality is suitable for the project.
Construction work, which is being implemented by MeECL, began in 2007.