SHILLONG: From time to time concerns have been raised over the life span of the Umiam dam, but the state Power Minister Clement Marak has downplayed such concerns saying the “dam is still quite strong.”
Stating that the Central Water Commission (CWC) keeps a check on the durability of the dam from time to time, the Minister informed that a Central Government team had inspected the dam in 2012.
According to Marak, it is a matter of concern for those dams which are more than 100 year old and the Umiam dam has just crossed half century.
According to the Meghalaya State Development Report, 2008, the Umiam reservoir, constructed in 1965, has a projected lifespan of 400 years.
He stated that the Ministry of Power had also directed its safety cell to conduct checking of the dam on regular basis. “Besides Central Water Power Research Station also conducts inspection of the dam to ensure that it meets all the safety requirements,” the minister said.
The Minister also ruled out any leakage in the dam.