Nagaon, Dec. 26: The Assam State Electricity Board has decided to generate 165MW power from its three new hydro-electric projects in the two hill districts of Assam — Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao by 2013.

Work on the two projects in Karbi Anglong district at Lunglit and Myntriang began in June and these would take 3 years to be commissioned.

The only project in Dima Hasao district at Garampani is yet to be started.

“To be built at an estimated cost of Rs 70 crore, Myntriang will generate 9MW power. Lunglit will generate 6MW power and cost Rs 60 crore. The hydro-electric projects in Karbi Anglong are being set up with joint financial support from the NEC, Nabard and the state government.

The project in the Garampani area of Dima Hasao will generate 150MW. Its estimated cost is Rs 1,100 crore and the Kapili river would be its source. It is in the very preliminary stage,” said an ASEB source.

Both Myntriang and Lunglit are small hydro-electric projects of the state electricity board.

The board’s first mega power project — Karbi Langpi hydro-electric project in Karbi Anglong’s Hamren sub division — started production 2006 and generates 100MW power.

“The Karbi Langpi hydro-electric project seems to be the biggest success as its production goes up to 110MW when our estimated target is 100MW. As the district is free from militancy-related trouble at this moment it gives us the hope for going ahead,” the ASEB source said.

“We must admit that water resources of the two hill districts give us the opportunity to go for these projects. We feel that we should consider seriously the need of the common people of the two districts. If everything goes well, we will recruit local people at the time of starting the projects. Again, the need for required power for the two districts would be seriously considered. Utilising the resources of the districts we would generate power,” the ASEB source said.

According to the source, surveys from the board are on for another three hydro-electric power projects in the two districts. The three includes two in Karbi Anglong district and the third one in Dima Hasao.

Neepco’s 275MW hydro-electric project in Umrangsu is the first power project in the two hill districts.

The power corporation started its production with a 100MW project and later expanded it to another two sites in Umrangsu.

“The government machinery makes no stone unturned in making maximum utilisation of the natural resources of the two hill districts. Two paper mills are running with raw materials from Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts. We want that they stress on development of this region along with their search for natural resource usage,” said Jaysingh Bey of Six Mile in Umrangsu.