Kynshi projects soon

SHILLONG, JULY 24: Meghalaya government on Thursday said the process of land acquisition for the implementation of the two major power projects – Kynshi Stage I and II in West Khasi Hills district would likely be completed within two months time.

State power minister Clement Marak told a delegation of the Synjuk Seng Bhalang (SSB) from West Khasi hills district who met him to enquire on the status and demand for speeding up the implementation of the two projects.

The delegation led by its chairman sought clarification on the reasons behind the prolong delay in the implementation of the two projects by the State government.

“The minister has informed that the government is still in the process of completing the land acquisition for payment of compensation to the affected land owners which will be likely completed after two months,” SSB chairman TS Shangrit told newsmen after the meeting.

He said, “We were also told that the ball now is on the deputy commissioner’s court to ensure that the process is completed within the stipulated time,” adding “We decided to wait for the government to complete the process before taking a call on the issue.”

According to him, the SSB is concern over the delay in implementing the projects which are believed to benefit the state in term of solving the prevailing power scenario besides generating employment opportunities to the local youths.

The government handed over two big projects of 450MW each — the Kynshi hydel project Stages I and II — to two private developers, Athena Energy Ventures Pvt Ltd and JayPee Group. Both projects will be constructed over the Kynshi river in West Khasi Hills district.

The SSB, a conglomeration of five social organizations which include West Khasi Student Union (WKSU), Western Youth Federation (WYF), Western Youth Welfare Council (WYWC), Western People Movement (WPM) and West Khasi National Youth Front (WKNYF) have been taken up the issue since 2007.

“We had also earlier opposed the move of the then MPA led government to scrap of the two projects,” Shangrit said.

He also informed that we are aware of the fact that the government has allotted and entrusted and accordingly had executed the MOAs with the private developers for commissioning and develop the Kynshi Stage I and II.

Meanwhile, the delegation also submitted a representation to the Minister demanding the state government to speed up the commissioning and developing of the two projects.  “We strongly request the state government to find out ways and means in order to speed up the commission and develop of the projects,” the SSB stated. – By Our Reporter