Ganol power project to be commissioned next year

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 10, 2021

The state government has targeted to commission the much-awaited Ganol Small Hydro Power Project by May next year. 

“The status of the project stands at 66.60 percent. The target for commissioning the project after the 2014 approved cost is May, 2022,” Power Minister James K Sangma informed the Assembly on Wednesday. 

Replying to a query raised by Congress Rangsakona MLA, Zenith Sangma, the minister also informed that the project has been revised withn the last one year. 

“The project cost has been revised to Rs 507.71 crore,” James said as he also pointed that the reasons for the increase of the cost of the project were due to increase in the quantity of items specified in the construction  drawings approved by the Central Water Commission, New Delhi, addition of new items as per the approved construction drawings,  increase in quantity due to geological reasons and time over run.

When Zenith wondered as to how can there be geological reason after over 66 percent work has already been completed, the minister said that “the geological surprise came in the form of soil stability…and construction of the surfcae penstock had to be made into underground penstock so that was one the reasons the cost went up.”

The MLA while expressing dissatisfaction on the reply given said that the minister should have done proper homework before sanctioning the additional amount for the project.

To this, James said he was sorry to say that when the detailed project report (DPR) was prepared way back in 2007, the project itself was not viable but for reason best known to the then government, tender was floated. 

“(However despite this) we have taken decision that this project should be completed in time as it is important for Garo Hills region and ensure whatever has been spent does not go to waste,..it is wrong on the part of the member to cast aspersion and I hope he refrain from doing such things,” he asserted.

The minister further informed that Rs 229.98 crore was given as grant to the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL) for completion of the project.