By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In what can be termed as a major concern for the Umiam Stage I power house, a huge leakage has occurred in the penstock pipe through which the water reaches the turbine.
It is learnt that due to this leakage in the penstock pipe the Stage I power house is losing gallons of water meant for power generation.
There are two penstock pipes at the Umiam lake intact gate which are connected to the power house. The leakage is near the bye pass valve, sources said.
Initially the department tried its best to plug the leakage but as the intact tunnel gate could not be closed so the pipe could not be repaired, sources said adding “if the leakage is not repaired the pipe might bust. Then the entire Umiam Stage I power house at Sumer would be under water and the lake would dry up within a few hours.”
However, Boliboy Khonglah, SE, Hydro electric, has allayed this fear saying, “these leakages are common.”
“Some times these leakages do occur in pipes, but I have already directed my officers to repair the pipes wherever leakages are reported,” Khonglah said.
