SHILLONG: The differences among locals over Mawphu Hydro Electric Project (Stage II) became stark on Thursday when a section of women from Thieddieng village in East Khasi Hills extended support to the Joint Action Committee of the 85-MW project and slammed the people who are opposing the project implemented by NEEPCO.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, Kmitsibon Suna of Thieddieng said the land would not be inundated as ‘misinformed’ by JS Sohtun.
She went on to say the dam, which will be constructed, will be “very small” and affect only a portion of the land. However, as per the project report, NEEPCO will need 110 hectares of land for the project.
A reason cited by Suna was the benefits that locals of Thieddieng, Nongsteng, Umblai and Mawphu will get from the project.
“NEEPCO has ensured that 80 per cent of the local people will be employed, especially from among those affected villages.
Apart from Rs 25,000 which is a sort of a gift and Rs 2000 which will be given monthly for the next 20 years, NEEPCO has prepared Rs 1400 lakhs for the local residents of all affected villages,” she said.
Suna added that there will be developmental activities taken up by NEEPCO.
The total cost of the project is Rs 907.35 crore which might increase based on prevailing market situation. The Mawphu project will generate 85 MW power from 42.5 units each of two units.
They asserted that agricultural lands upon which the people are depending for their livelihood will be inundated if NEEPCO takes over their lands for implementation of the project.
