Shillong, May 8 : Faced with increasing opposition in executing power projects in the NE, the NEEPCO has decided to form an “advisory group” to address issues related to environment.
Union Minister of State for Power, Jairam Ramesh announced here recently that the NEEPCO would form the advisory group comprising eminent environmentalists drawn from IIT, Guwahati and NEHU.
The advisory group would suggest how best to implement projects without causing damage to the fragile environment of the region. It would also help to take the public into confidence with regards to environmental issues.
NEEPCO is facing opposition from many quarters, especially from environmentalists, to give up power projects in various parts of the North East. The Tipaimukh multipurpose hydel project in Manipur is an example to such an opposition, apart from others.
“We cannot run away from environmental issues these days, so NEEPCO has decided to form this advisory group,” the Union Minister told the media after a review meeting.
Ramesh further told that NEEPCO needs urgent revamping, stating, the present power generation of the corporation was just 1,100 MW, after 32 years since its establishment.
“It’s a sad commentary …but within the next five years the corporation would take up seven projects, which would increase power generation to 2,900 MW,” the Minister said.
Terming the present trend in the region of State Government’s entering into joint ventures with private companies, sidelining NEEPCO, as an “epidemic” afflicted with “MoU virus”, he said, NEEPCO must be given preference over private companies.
AT
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