SHILLONG, May 22: A worrying accumulation of garbage and forest waste at the Ganol Dam in West Garo Hills has raised concerns over the safety of the dam and the uninterrupted functioning of its power generation system.
Albeit there has been no immediate impact, officials fear the debris could seep into the tunnels and affect vital machinery if not cleared in time.
The waste—comprising plastic, logs and refuse from nearby homestays, picnic spots and markets—has been carried into the river by heavy rainfall and has accumulated at the dam site.
The existing mesh has so far prevented it from entering the powerhouse, but authorities are treating the matter as a serious risk to both infrastructure and environmental integrity.
Power Minister AT Mondal, who is in constant contact with the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, has ordered immediate action.
A team has been mobilised and is stationed at the site, with actual clearance work scheduled to begin on Thursday. Temporary camps have also been set up and manpower is in place to start the removal of debris.
Meanwhile, the district administration has conducted a site inspection and traced the origin of the debris to specific upstream zones.
On Friday, a team of officials will meet market committees, picnic spot operators and nokmas to sensitise them about the issue and discourage dumping along riverbanks. Signboards are also expected to be installed as part of a broader awareness campaign.
The power minister noted that this was not the first such incident and stressed the need for sustained monitoring.
He has also discussed the matter with the chief minister, who is said to have agreed on establishing a long-term mechanism to prevent such recurrence.
While the project remains operational for now, authorities believe continued negligence could lead to serious problems.
