Kupli hydroelectric project
SHILLONG: A team of KSU members of the Laskein Circle led by its central body education secretary Donald V Thabah visited the NEEPCO office here to discuss the matter related to fulfillment of the promises made by the Corporation to residents of villages surrounding the Kupli Hydro Electric Project.
While implementing the project, NEEPCO had promised to set up projects for the development of the villages including hospitals, schools, power supply, market, and facilities for drinking water, all of which have remained unfulfilled thus far.
However, the KSU team was unable to meet Prem Chand Pankaj, Chairman cum Managing Director, NEEPCO, Shillong, who was said to be out of town, despite waiting for two hours.
The KSU members were then directed to meet P. Bordoloi, General Manger, but he refused to meet them.
Later, the delegation was asked to meet S. Chakraborty, GM (Township), who assured them that he will forward the grievances to the Chairman since he had no say on the matter.
Later, the KSU members spoke to news persons and claimed that NEEPCO was providing benefits to residents of Umrangso in Assam whereas villagers in Meghalaya were being deprived.
The Union claimed that construction of the dam across the Kupli had adversely affected people of Iooksi and Saphai areas as they have lost hundreds of acres of arable land, ‘sacred forests’ and the famous Umshit (hot spring), which has greatly affected the flow of tourists to the area.