Shillong, January 04: The Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma today inaugurated the 2×20 MW New Umtru Hydro Electric Project at Dehal, Byrnihat in Ri- Bhoi District of the state.
While addressing the gathering, Chief Minister expressed happiness at having the privilege to inaugurate the New Umtru Hydro Electric Project, as it is very rare that the same VIP gets the opportunity in laying the foundation stone and also inaugurating and dedicating it to the people of the state.
He said the state of Meghalaya have added substantially to its power generation capacity and encouraged the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Limited to further look at potential areas where small hydroelectric projects can be developed so as to improve the overall energy scenario in the state particularly the remote areas.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that an Integrated Approach is the way forward in having optimum utilisation for the optimum benefit of the people. “The concept of water harvesting, water conservation can be integrated appropriately with power projects for optimum benefit” he said.
Sangma also informed that the Government is committed in bringing down the losses of MeECL and encouraged in bringing peoples’ participation for timely realization of the tariff across the state. “We need to ensure that all three entities under MeECL are profit making entities” he said
It may be mentioned that the foundation stone for the 40 MW New Umtru Hydro Electric Project was laid in 2007 by the then Chief Minister D.D. Lapang in which Dr Mukul Sangma was the Deputy Chief Minister in-Charge Power.
The project was inaugurated in the presence of Shri WMS Pariat, former Chief Secretary and CMD of MeECL, Shri P.S. Thankhiew, Chairman cum Managing Director, MeECL, Shri A. G. West Kharkongor, CMD, Neepco and other senior officials.
