SHILLONG, JUNE 11: Meghalaya government is proposing to set up an independent body to audit on the overall implementation of the Myntdu Leshka Hydro Power Project, which has recently come under severe criticisms for its failure to address the power crisis besides taking steps to tap all available resources to increase the power generation of the state.
Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma told the assembly on Thursday, “We proposed to have auditing on the project by a third independent party in order to have a better clarify into the various factors leading to the time and cost overrun and other aspects of the project.”
Replying to the motion on the state’s power scenario raised by UDP legislator Jemino Mawthoh, Sangma said, “Necessary and appropriate decisions will be taken accordingly so as to ensure corrective measures are taken up which will also be institutionalized in the future.”
According to Sangma, if the need is to adopt correct approach and effective management of the project, the government will have to take decision based on strong political will along with the support from all concerned.
Pointing out that one of the main factors leading to power crises is because of taking decision from “political consideration”, Sangma said, “In the past, successive governments sometimes take decision because of political considerations without keeping in mind the interest and aspiration of the state and its people.”
Sangma also referred to the cancellation of a number of proposed power projects signed with private developers and central CPSUs in 2007 including the 500 MW Thermal project in East Garo hills and 85MW Mawphu power project by the then non-Congress government which he termed as more political than executive.
Highlighting the various initiatives taken by the government to come up with a solution in resolving the power crisis in the state, Sangma said there is no other answer to this problem but to increase power generation capacity which is by tapping all available resources in the state including the need to develop the hydro projects of all sizes.
Sangma also informed that the government has decided to develop some power projects in the inter-state border with Assam saying, “We have asked the NEEPCO to discuss the proposal with government of Assam.”
Sangma said the government is also reviewing all power projects including the 85MW Mawphy hydel power project.
Sangma informed the bidding process for the 22.5 MW power project in Garo hills is also completed and government will have to indicate the availability of funds and the process will complete within this month for construction to take off. He also said the Stage I of the Kynshi project has also been completed.
Stating that necessary measures on the need to develop thermal power projects are on, Sangma said a 120 MW thermal power project will be developed at the first instance.
Sangma also spoke of other sources like solar, wind and energy from biomass which he said will also be tapped to ensure that those areas especially in rural areas which are termed as difficult and inaccessible can have stand-alone power projects from such sources. He informed that certain sites have been mapped and identified for developing such proposed projects.
Sangma said the government will conduct a review to fast track all these small power projects to meet the demand of power supply to rural areas especially those who are closed to project sites.
Sangma added that the government has also identified places for harnessing solar energy for developing of 5 MW solar power projects with the support of the centre.- By Our Reporter
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