Meghalaya CM inaugurates hydropower project in Garo Hills region

Shillong, Jan. 4 (PTI): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated one of the three units of the 22.5 MW Ganol Hydro Power Project in West Garo Hills district, adding 7.5 MW power to the state’s grid.

Sangma said that the project worth over Rs 560 crore was completed with commitment as the present government envisaged putting Garo Hills on the power map of the nation.

“Power generation has been a hurdle in the Garo Hills region, especially during dry winter months. The commissioning of the Ganol Hydro Power Project will largely meet the peak electricity demands and is a step closer towards self-sufficiency in power generation,” he said.

More such projects would be required and the government is committed to come up with such big infrastructure projects in future, the chief minister said.

The northeastern state currently requires about 380 MW of power.

The Ganol Hydroelectric Project utilised the Ganol river fall near Tura and its water by installing 3 Turbine – Generator units of 7.5 MW each, of which one was made operational during the day and the remaining two will be made operational in the next few months.

He lauded James K Sangma, who during his tenure as power minister, had mooted the idea to revive the abandoned project and ensure its completion.

“Ganol project was almost abandoned. The state government had made investments but due to paucity of funds, it was not completed. In 2018, when the current government took over, it ensured that the funds were made available to restart the project,” Sangma added.

The foundation for the project was laid in 2014.

“The MDA Govt has accorded the highest-ever budget allocation in the history of Garo Hills. We are committed to the growth of the region and to keep it at par with other regions of Meghalaya. We are working to ensure no district is left behind from Meghalaya’s growth story,” he said.