Shillong, Feb. 10: The Meghalaya government is planning to carry out a detailed survey of Umkhen river in Ri Bhoi district to explore the possibility of generating power.
This was announced by chief minister Mukul Sangma while inaugurating a bridge over the Umkhen near Mawlasnai village, 80km from here.
At present, power-starved Meghalaya generates around 186MW, excluding the 42MW generated by Myntdu-Leshka hydel project in Jaintia Hills district, bordering Ri Bhoi.
Last month, the government had invited letters of expression of interest from prospective builders for the construction of 75 power projects in the state.
Sangma said a team of officials from the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Ltd would conduct the survey.
“If we can have a power project here, it will add to the revenue of the state and generate employment opportunities for the locals. Besides, the area can also become a tourist destination like the Umiam lake,” he added. He said the new bridge would also serve as a tourist destination.
The bridge, which will serve as a link for trucks coming from Lad Umroi in Ri Bhoi and proceeding towards 8 Miles via Nartiang in Jaintia Hills, was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.99 crore. Its construction had commenced in March 2002.
The bridge will cut down on the travelling distance by 10km. It is around 86km from Lad Umroi to 8 Miles via Umkhen bridge and around 96km from Lad Umroi to 8 Miles via Shillong.
The government had earlier announced that all empty trucks travelling from Ri Bhoi to Jaintia Hills would be diverted from Lad Umroi to Nartiang via Umkhen bridge. The exercise will commence on Monday. The absence of diversion points along National Highways 40 and 44 has been a cause of traffic congestion and this move is expected to substantially ease the traffic congestion from Lad Umroi to Mawlai Mawiong.
When the Mawlai-Mawiong stretch is free from congestion, the city will also be able to get a breather from the trauma of traffic congestion.
The government has also sanctioned Rs 16 crore under Special Plan Assistance for constructing a road from Umkhen bridge to Nartiang.
Sangma said the North Eastern Council has also sanctioned Rs 65 crore for the construction of Jowai-Nartiang-Khanduli road.
