Minister incharge of Power AT Mondal has expressed concern over the decrease in the water level of the Umiam Lake.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Mondal said, “The water level of Umiam is one of the lowest in the history of the Lake. We are standing at 3,170 feet. Another five feet down it means problem……We cannot generate much power. Our units are just spinning for some time then wait for water to gather.”
With the state receiving very less rainfall this year, the minister said that the government is working holistically by coming up with some short term remedies to cope up with the present scenario and at the same time, some long term measures will also be taken so that in the future we are not subjected to such a crisis.
He informed that the government is trying to see certain projects come up as early as possible so that the problem can be solved.
Asked about the report of IIT Guwahati on Umiam bridge, the Power Minister said the state Government is yet to permit the IIT Guwahati to conduct proper study and testing on the safety of the Umiam Bridge.
Talking to reporters in Shillong, Mondal said, “We have not given go ahead (permission) to IIT Guwahati because we need to take some our own decision, so the day we give go ahead permission they will come and the testing.”
The Minister said as of now based on the physical verification and sight inspection, it is found that the bearings are not in good condition.
“We have ordered the bearings to be manufactured in the company and so once they complete then our people will go test it in the factory itself and then these will be brought and by the meantime we will complete the testing and all these and if any retrofitting in the structure is required then that also will be done,” he added.
While assuring that the work will be done as early as possible, Mondal said once retrofitting of the bridge the movement of heavy vehicles will be stopped.
The IIT-G has conducted one study on the bridge and is taking another study.