Silchar, Aug. 8: The construction of the 210MW Tuivai hydro project in Aizawl district will begin very soon.

Conceptualised in 1995, the Centre gave its final go ahead to the project on July 23.

The engineer-in-chief of Mizoram’s power department, C.L. Thangliana, today told this correspondent from Aizawl that the total outlay of this project, so far the biggest power scheme in Mizoram, is Rs 1,750 crore at 2010 price level.

Thangliana said the Tuivai project comprising the three units of 70MW each would be unique, as it would be executed on a public private-partnership (PPP) model with the viability gap funding.

The viability gap funding means that the share of the state government is underwritten by the Centre since financial capability of the state is too feeble, he added.

Thangliana said 1,600 hectares of land on the banks of the Tuivai river in the eastern part of Aizawl district would be requisitioned for the project.

He said this project would be the first of any development scheme in Mizoram where there would be no need to provide compensation to any person for taking over the land.

The private sector group to implement the project will be selected from among a set of bidders who have responded to a global tender.

According to an official document prepared by the Mizoram government, the Tuivai project will construct a 155-metre dam across the Tuivai river to generate power.

Sources said the environment clearance for the project has also been obtained from the Union ministry of environment and forests.

Thangliana said Mizoram would be able to leave behind the agonising days of powercuts when the 60MW (30MWx2) Tuirial and the Tuivai projects would be commissioned in two and five years respectively.

The Tuirial project, coming up at Bilkhawtlir village in Kolosib district near National Highway 54, is being built at a cost of Rs 900 crore.

Mizoram requires 120MW of power in summer against the supply of 80MW by the thermal and mini hydel projects, Neepcco and NTPC plants in the Northeast.