MeECL won’t be able to accomplish job for various reasons, says Power Minister
SHILLONG: The State Government is contemplating to hand over the proposed 240 MW Umngot Power project to Jaypee group. The project, if successfully completed, would provide much needed relief to power starved Meghalaya.
Speaking to reporters here, Power Minister Clement Marak informed that the State Government wants to hand over the project to Jaypee group since MeECL may not be able to execute the project due to various reasons.
Stating that the MeECL has already done the inventory of the project, Marak informed that prior to its execution, the project needs clearance from the Ministry of Forests and Environment, Central Electric Authority and also the Ministry of External Affairs since the project site is situated close to the international border with Bangladesh.
The project is already facing stiff opposition from anti-dam activists and locals who fear that the proposed project would submerge certain villages.
Marak, however, asserted that the department would look into the matter and find out details of how many villages are likely to be affected after which suitable compensation would be paid.
The estimated budget of the project would be around Rs.1700 crore and would cover an area of 390 hectares straddling both Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills districts.
Since the project site is located close to the Bangladesh border, the Power Minister expressed hope that Meghalaya can even sell power to the neighbouring country once it becomes a power surplus State.
