Shillong, Nov. 4: The Centre today directed the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (Neepco) to take up with the Meghalaya government plausible ways to stem the erosion of the corporation’s machines because of the acidic water flowing from coal mines into the Kopili river.

The Kopili flows through Umrangsu in the Dima Hasao district of Assam bordering Jaintia Hills. The Kopili hydro-electric project was the maiden venture of Neepco when it came into existence in 1976. The project generates around 275MW of power.

Unscientific mining in Jaintia Hills district has not only affected aquatic life but has also eroded Neepco’s machines. The acidic water from the mines has corroded the machines that are used for power generation from the Kopili river.

The directive came from Union minister of state for power K.C. Venugopal who was here along with the parliamentary consultative committee for the power ministry to review the power scenario in the Northeast.

“We have directed Neepco to get in touch with the Meghalaya government to explore ways and means as to how the acidic water flowing from the mines should not hamper the machines installed in the Kopili river for power generation,” Venugopal told reporters after a two-hour meeting.

The unscientific rat-hole mining in Jaintia Hills has degraded the surrounding greenery, besides polluting rivers and other water bodies.

Asked about the projects undertaken by Neepco in Meghalaya, Venugopal said the corporation, with its headquarters in Shillong, has three projects — Mawphu hydroelectric project (stages I & II) and a thermal project in East Garo Hills.

“As water is a state subject, the Centre is willing to provide support to state governments who approach for assistance in the development of power projects,” Venugopal said. The statement assumes significance especially when Neepco, a public sector undertaking under the power ministry, recently bagged power projects in Meghalaya, even after 35 years of its existence in Shillong.

Joint secretary in the ministry Sudhir Kumar sought to remove apprehensions on the several dam projects coming up in Arunachal Pradesh.

“There have been several misconceptions about the projects, but most of the dams will be small in nature, which will store water for only 24 to 48 hours,” he claimed.

In the meeting, the participants reviewed the work undertaken by Neepco and the Union minister stressed on the need to provide further boost to the power sector in the region.

“The region is bestowed with immense and untapped hydro potential, the development of which will help in achieving a better fuel mix in the country. This is very relevant considering the recent problems faced in power generation due to fuel shortage,” the Union minister said.

Venugopal added that other than hydro, the region is also rich in coal and gas reserves.

He said Meghalaya has good coal reserves, while Tripura and Assam are blessed with natural gas reserves, which are a cleaner fuel. He further stressed that in the coming years the region can become the “power house of India” and can transform the socio-economic conditions of its people thus contributing immensely to the development of the nation.