Power Min assures students
SHILLONG: The State government is working on the timings of load shedding in the city as final examinations in schools will start this month.
Power Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar said on Friday the government does not plan to increase the duration of load shedding despite the demand-supply gap. At present, the entire State is experiencing load shedding for 30 minutes to one hour due to unavailability of power.
The minister said the timing is being shifted to ensure that students do not suffer due to load shedding.
Reacting to a query about the Rs 469-crore loan that MeECL intends to borrow from Power Finance Corporation, the minister said it is under process and MeECL is preparing necessary papers for the same.
Dhar said MeECL is also trying to bring down its losses even as he added that it is difficult to clear all pending bills of MeECL at one go.
MeECL has a total outstanding of over Rs 767 crore, which is to be paid to different companies supplying power to the energy-deficit State.
Meanwhile, the Power minister also informed that the New Umtrew Hydro Power project is likely to be commissioned by the end of this year.
The project has been delayed for several years due to various factors and the Rs 460-crore Umtrew Hydro Power project will add 40 MW to the State’s grid.
A unique feature of the project lies in the fact that it can produce a good amount of power even during the lean season since it has access to a greater catchment area.