SHILLONG, MAY 3: Power Minister Abu Taher Mondal, visited the Dam rehabilitation and retrofitting work at the Umiam Dam site on Friday.
He was accompanied by Sanjay Goyal, Chairman cum Managing Director, Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), Commissioner & Secretary, Power Department, Government of Meghalaya, R Majaw Director( Generation)of the Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation Ltd (MePGCL)along with other Senior Engineers.
The Power Minister inspected the works and reviewed the progress, pointing out that the rehabilitation works is done to improve the structure of the dam which is over 50 years old.
Mondal, said, “I am glad to see that the work is making progress as the ongoing rehabilitation work of the dam and the bridge. This is very crucial to increase the lifespan of the dam by 25-30 years. The department is working on all fronts to ensure that is no compromise on safety of the dam and the bridge though we are working to complete the work within the stipulated time period. The traffic movement has been restricted to ensure smooth progress of the rehabilitation, I appeal to the public to be patient as this will benefit the public in the long run.”
Sanjay Goyal said, “We are taking the rehabilitation work of the bridge also and that is the reason that it is taking some time, and we are restricting the load as well as the traffic movement during the repair period. We regret the inconvenience which is caused to the public but I am sure it is for the betterment of the structure.”
The project entails the strengthening and rehabilitation of the dam as well as repairing the bridge. The rehabilitation work will not only improve the life of the structure, but to ensure that the power generated through the structure – the dam as well as the bridge is not impacted in any case.
Hon’ble Power Minister discussed with the officials, on the maintaining the safety protocols, improve life of the structure and power generation from the dam.