SHILLONG, Jan 4: The long-awaited 22.5 MW Ganol Hydro Power Project near Tura in West Garo Hills was inaugurated on Wednesday by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Terming it as a “historic” and “landmark” day for Garo Hills, the CM said the over Rs 560 crore project could be completed due to sheer grit and determination of the government. He said the government wanted to put Garo Hills on the country’s power map.
Power Minister Prestone Tynsong, who is also the Deputy CM, and Health Minister James PK Sangma were present during the inauguration. The CM lauded James PK Sangma who, during his tenure as the Power Minister, conceived the idea of reviving the project that was left abandoned.
“As suggested by James PK Sangma, the government decided to release additional funds to complete the project,” the CM said.
“Ganol project was almost abandoned, the state government had made investment but due to paucity of funds, it was not completed. In 2018, when the current government took over, it ensured that funds were made available to restart the project,” Sangma said. The foundation for the project was laid in 2014.
The CM said there were challenges but by completing the project, the government demonstrated to the people of Garo Hills that it has the will to ensure large infrastructure projects in the common interest of the state and its people.
He said the project will supplement power requirement in Garo Hills. He said the state would need more such projects and the government is committed to coming up with similar big infrastructure projects in future. Currently, Meghalaya requires about 380 MW of power.
Sangma also acknowledged the efforts of Tynsong and the Power department for completing the project on time.
The Ganol Hydroelectric Project harnessed the water of Ganol river and utilised three turbine-generator units of 7.5 MW each to generate electricity. One of the turbine-generator units was made operational on Wednesday. The two others will be made operational in the next few months. The Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation had teamed up with different stakeholders, including India’s leading hydro power construction company Patel Engineering Ltd, Mumbai; Civil & HM Contractor Onycon Infra LLP, Mumbai and E&M Contractor Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corporation, Japan to complete the project, which is the first of its kind in Garo Hills.
The project is unique for it has features like a diversion tunnel, dam, power intake, head race tunnel, surge shaft, upper horizontal, vertical and lower horizontal pressure shafts besides Power House with a Switch Yard.
