Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal informed on Tuesday that the state government is working rigorously to ensure that a power project is developed in the Kynshi basin. This statement came after a meeting with a delegation from the Joint Committee of Local People on Kynshi Hydro Power Project (JCLPKHPP), who sought clarification on the government’s plans to revive the Kynshi Hydro Power Project Stage-I.
“We are looking forward to seeing some power project come into the Kynshi basin,” Minister Mondal told the media.
He explained that while the government had scrapped the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with certain parties due to their lack of progress on the project, this does not mean the power projects themselves have been abandoned.
“All power projects till now; we have not scrapped all the power projects. It’s not like that we have scrapped MoUs with some parties because they were not showing any sign of initiating the project, so they were just hanging like that. We scrapped the MoU to facilitate a new entity to come and take up the power projects. It’s not that we have scrapped the power projects itself,” Mondal clarified.
The Minister emphasized that the government remains committed to the Kynshi power project and is actively seeking new entities to take over and initiate the development. Currently, the government is engaged with central public sector units like NTPC and NEEPCO but is also open to private power producers who may be interested in investing in the project.
When asked about new developments, Mondal admitted that there is nothing concrete yet but confirmed that the feasibility of the project is being assessed. “Feasibility reports are being collected, and we are also working independently to explore whether more power projects can be developed. Accordingly, Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are being prepared for small hydel power projects,” he added. The government will have a clearer idea of the potential power generation capacity of the Kynshi Power Project Stage-I once these DPRs are finalized.
Mondal also addressed the growing interest in Pump Storage Power Projects, which are considered economically viable and well-suited to current energy demands. “Many people, or many entities, are expressing interest in Pump Storage Power Projects, and we are working out how the state can benefit from these power projects,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a representation submitted to Power Minister Mondal, JCLPKHPP inquired about any future plans to revive the Kynshi Hydro Power Project. The letter mentioned that the committee had earlier expressed its concerns to the Chief Minister on March 8, 2024, regarding the lack of progress on the project.
Talking to Mediaperson, Zandy Myrthong, secretary of the Joint Committee, expressed that the local community is eagerly awaiting the commencement of the project. The committee has also submitted a representation to Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and Power Minister A.T. Mondal, highlighting their concerns and the importance of the project.
He informed that the committee had sent a letter dated March 8, 2024 to the chief minister of Meghalaya informing about its anguish at the unexecuted work relating to the power project.
“We, the members of the Joint Committee, eagerly await the commencement of the aforesaid project, which had been, as mentioned in the letter in reference dated March 8, 2024, delayed. Owing to the fact that a considerable period of time has passed since our last letter, it is hoped that there has been some progress in the plan (if any) to revive the aforesaid project,” Myrthong said.
Myrthong emphasized that the committee eagerly awaits the commencement of the project, noting the considerable time that has passed since their last communication. He requested updates on any progress and stressed the importance of not leaving local stakeholders and inhabitants, who would benefit from the project’s development, stranded.
He stated, “On the occasion that there has been progress in the said planning, we would like to be informed and apprised of the same, owing to our interest in the matter itself (said interest owing to the fact that our very establishment as a committee stems from the introduction of the said power project itself).”
“It is highly anticipated that your good office has initiated efforts for the same so as to not leave the various stakeholders and local inhabitants (who would stand to benefit the most from the subsequent development that would ensue with the functioning of the said power project) stranded,” he added.