Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 03/23

GANOL HYDRO POWER PROJECT INAUGURATED

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today inaugurated the most prestigious and long awaited 22.5 MW Ganol Hydro Power Project, near Tura in West Garo Hills in presence of Deputy Chief Minister in charge Power Prestone Tyngsong and Health Minister James K. Sangma.

Terming the inauguration of the project as historic and landmark day for Garo Hills, the Chief Minister said that the project worth over Rs 560 cr was completed with sheer commitment of the current Government that had envisaged putting Garo Hills in the power map of the nation. 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. As suggested by James K. Sangma, the Government decided to release additional funds to complete the project, he added.

Ganol project was almost abandoned, the State Government had made investment 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, he added. The foundation for the project was laid in 2014. He said that Government had challenge to ensure completion of this project but with a strong determination the State Government took the onus upon itself to complete the project. He said that that by ensuring completion of this project, the Government has demonstrated to the people of Garo Hills that this Government has the will to ensure large infrastructure projects for the common interest of the State and its people.

He said that the project will aid to a large extend to supplement power requirement in Garo Hills region. He said more such projects would be required and the government is committed to come up with such big infrastructure projects in future. The State currently requires about 380 MW of power. He also credited Deputy Chief Minister in charge Power Prestone Tynsong and the entire power department for their determination to ensure that the project was completed on time.

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 today and the remaining two will be made operational in the next few months. Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation along with different stakeholders including India leading hydro power construction company Patel Engineering Ltd., Mumbai as its lead contractor and Civil and HM Contractor Onycon Infra LLP, Mumbai and E and M Contractor Toshiba Plant Systems and Services Corporation, Japan combined together to complete the first engineering marvel hydro power project of Garo Hills. The Ganol Hydro Project is unique having maximum features of hydro projects i.e. The Diversion Tunnel, Dam, Power Intake, Head Race Tunnel, Surge Shaft, Upper Horizontal, Vertical and Lower Horizontal Pressure Shafts, finally the Power House along with Switch Yard.

Press Release No. 04/23

PHE MINISTER LAYS FOUNDATION STONE OF GREATER NONGPOH WATER SUPPLY SCHEME UNDER JJM

Shri Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar, Minister incharge PHE Department Government of Meghalaya today the 4th January laid a foundation stone of Greater Nongpoh Water Supply Scheme under Jal Jeevan Mission at the Cost of Rs. 103.71 Crores in the august presence of Shri Mayralborn Syiem MLA of Nongpoh cum Co Chairman Meghalaya Industrial Development Corporation Ltd, Shri Balajied Ranee MDC of Nongpoh, Shri Syed Md Andaleeb Razi, IRTS, Commissioner and Secretary PHE Department and Smt. B.M Lyndem Chief Engineer, PHE Meghalaya, Shillong. The programme was also attended by traditional heads and village elders of twenty villages and 38 sub commitee under Nongpoh Town Committee and others.

Smt. B.M Lyndem Chief Engineer, PHE in her keynote address briefed on the aim and objective of the JJM saying that JJM is the flagship programme launched by the Central government on the 15th August 2019. It is envisioned to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connection to all households in rural areas of the country. She also informed that the sources for this water supply connection will be from Umran river at the distance of 22.35 KM. moreover, the capacity of the Water Treatment Plant is 3.6 million litres per day.

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar expressed his immensily pleasure to be part of the programme as well as to associate himself with the villages leader. He said that JJM Scheme has been launched by the Central government with an aim to provide water tap connection for households living in rural areas. However it is fortunate for the state of Meghalaya even the urban areas as well as the census town is also entitle for the implementation of the said scheme. He informed that in the previous years before the implementation of the JJM Scheme in the state, only 4550 households have got functional water tap connection which is only one percent whereas thereafter three years the number of functional house tap connection in the state grew to 2.80 lakh households. Hence, it will be the red letter day for the residents of Nongpoh Town as soon would be the recipients of the same scheme. he also assured that the implementation of the JJM scheme in the state will be completed before the time bound fixed as propounded by the Central government. Lastly, he seek the collective effort of the people for the fulfillment of the scheme as well as for other developmental works run by the government for the benefit of the people at large.