SHILLONG: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma and Power Minister Clement Marak have allayed fears of pollution of the Ganol river and the drying up of the pools following the executing of the Ganol Mini Hydro electric project.
Replying to a motion moved by Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma against setting up of the Ganol Mini Hydro electric project, the chief minister said Ganol would be a ‘run of the river’ project and the water used for producing electricity would be released back in the river. Not satisfied, the South Tura MLA, referred to an official document and pointed out that as per the MoU signed by the PHE related to the project, there was a mention that the pools under Ganol river would dry up.
Reacting to this, the chief minister assured that he would call for records from the department concerned to find out the actual position.
On the other hand, Power Minister Clement Marak said that as per his information, there will not be any pollution in Tura and adjoining areas due to the execution of the Ganol project.
Earlier, while moving the motion, the South Tura legislator had mentioned that the Ganol project was not in the interest of the people of Tura, Garo Hills region and the State.
He also wondered if there was deliberate ‘suppression of facts’ by the State Government to avoid seeking environmental clearance from the Union Government which is mandatory for any project of capacity more than 22 MW.
He further alleged that the project was conceived without any public hearing and added that the project will have cascading effects on the Ganol river from where water is supplied to the entire Tura town.
