Meghalaya govt scraps Umngot Hydro Electric Project

SHILLONG:

The Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) government has finally scrapped the 210 mega watts Umngot Hydro Electric Project (HEP) following stiff opposition from the people of Khasi and Jaintia Hills region.

“We have already taken a decision to close that chapter. There is no proposal for construction of a dam for implementation of the Umngot HEP,” Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Power Prestone Tynsong told journalists on December 23.

He informed that the decision to scrap the Umngot HEP was approved by the state Cabinet recently.

When asked, Tynsong said the Umngot power project was allotted to the private developers.

“(However), opposition was raised from the land owners in both Khasi and Jaintia Hills district. Taking note of that (opposition), we said okay let us cancel the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the private developers and the government. Hence, the chapter is already closed,” he added.

Meanwhile, the deputy chief minister also informed that there are quite a number of projects which were handed over to private developers.

However, four to five projects have been surrendered by the private developers citing that they are not feasible for implementation. “So we surrendered (those projects),” he added.

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