CM of Meghalaya initiates Ganol Hydro Power Project in Garo Hills

Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday initiated one of the three units of the 22.5 MW Ganol Hydropower Project in the West Garo Hills, adding 7.5 MW to the state’s grid.

The Chief Minister termed the inauguration of the project as a “historic and historical” day for the Garo Hills and said that the project, costing over Rs 560 crore, is a result of the government’s dedication, which has empowered the Garo Hills to place it on the map of india.
The Chief Minister praised James K Sangma (now Health Minister) for the role he played during his tenure as Power Minister to revive the abandoned project and ensure its completion. The Chief Minister said that on Sangma’s suggestion, the government decided to allocate additional funds to complete the project.

The CM said that the Ganol project was on the verge of being abandoned due to lack of funds, although the state government had already invested in it. However, when the current government took charge in 2018, it secured the necessary funds to restart the project, which was originally founded in 2014.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that completing the project was a challenge for the government, but stressed his determination to complete it. He emphasized that by successfully completing the project, the government has demonstrated its commitment to implement major infrastructure projects for the benefit of the state and its people.
He said that this project will play an important role in meeting the electricity needs of the Garo Hills region. He added that more such projects would be needed in the future and the government was committed to developing similar mega infrastructure projects.

The state currently requires about 380 MW of electricity.
The CM also appreciated the dedication and efforts of the Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and the Department of Electricity to ensure that

the Ganol Hydroelectric Project uses the natural flow of the Ganool River near Tura to generate electricity using three turbine generator units, each with a capacity of 7.5 MW. One unit was made operational at the inauguration of the project, while the remaining two units are expected to be operational in the coming months.
Meghalaya Power Generation Corporation worked with various stakeholders, including Patel Engineering Limited of Mumbai as lead contractor, Onycon Infra LLP of Mumbai as civil and heavy machinery, and Toshiba Plant Systems & Services Corporation of Japan as electrical and mechanical contractor Ganol Hydro. To complete the electric project, the first of its kind in Garo Hills.

Ganol Hydro Project is a comprehensive hydroelectric project consisting of a diversion tunnel, dam, power intake, head race tunnel, surge shaft, upper and lower horizontal pressure shafts, and a power house with a switch yard.