Meghalaya Govt scraps 2 power projects due to financial non-viability

SHILLONG, SEP 12: Meghalaya government on Tuesday scrapped two power projects – Kynshi stage-I and Upper Khri stage I & II.

Addressing media persons after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the two hydro power projects were signed by the government of Meghalaya with private power developers many years back.

The Kynshi stage-I was signed in 2007 while the Upper Khri stage I & II were signed in 2012-13.

“Because of the financial non-viability of these projects and the rates coming up too high and also the time taken by the different companies to implement them, the decision was taken by the Cabinet that both these projects – Kynshi stage– I  and Upper Khri stage– I & II projects will be terminated,” Sangma said.

“But the government and the department concerned will immediately move for looking for new partners or maybe the same partners in a new format because as I said the main reasons was that the project in its current form were not viable in terms of the rates but the new technologies that have come in were pump storage and other facilities can be used and also the combination of water  being released from one project and being used in the downstream for another project like in the case of Upper Khri stage I & II, the projects also need to be changed,” he said while adding that “Hence the government and the department will immediately work in that aspect and we hope that very soon we will be able to have the expression of interest to move forward with these projects in its new form.” 

By our Reporter