Meghalaya: Kynshi Hydro Power Project gets renewed push

Correspondent

SHILLONG: In a significant turnaround for Meghalaya’s energy roadmap, Power Minister AT Mondal on Thursday revealed that the state government is optimistic about reviving the long-stalled Kynshi Hydro Power Project—this time under its original Run-of-River (RoR) configuration—after years of uncertainty and delay.

Following a crucial meeting with the Joint Committee of Local People on Kynshi Hydro Power Project (JCLPKHPP), Mondal said the government sees a renewed opportunity to take the project forward, now that local resistance appears to have turned into support.

“We had a very fruitful meeting. I am very happy they expressed their views and ideas. The most important thing is that the local people now want to cooperate with the department and the agency that will execute the project. I am very optimistic because we need more generation. Without generation, we cannot enhance our power position,” said Mondal, addressing the media after the meeting.

The project, originally awarded to M/s Athena Pvt Ltd, had been delayed after attempts were made to shift it to a hybrid model—adding a Pump Storage Project (PSP) component to the existing RoR structure. However, the lack of enabling provisions in the state’s power policy and a mismatch with the earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) forced the cabinet to scrap the hybrid plan.

“The old MoU was based only on the Run-of-River model. As they wanted to add the PSP component, and since our earlier power policy didn’t include PSP, the cabinet decided to scrap the old MoU. Now, they want to revert to the original RoR model without the PSP. So, we’ll have to take it to cabinet again to reinstate the old MoU,” Mondal explained.

He made it clear that no new MoU has been signed yet, but added, “There is no new MoU. The old MoU, which was signed years back, will continue.”

While the exact power generation potential is yet to be finalised, Mondal said, “They will be coming back with the specifics on generation capacity. Hopefully, we will move forward based on that.”

On the question of project ownership and benefit-sharing, the minister confirmed, “It will be owned by the company. The state government will get 12% free power, and 1% free power will be used for local area development.”

In a nod to transparency and community engagement, Mondal welcomed the proposal for an inclusive dialogue. “Yes, one of the agenda points was to hold a joint meeting. I told them I will try my best. It is good for both sides to understand each other,” he said.

As for how many landowners will be impacted by the project, he said, “I cannot say now. This will be ascertained once the submersible area is finalised.”

Sending a clear message to the power department, Mondal concluded, “It is not only about signing the MoU, but they should also execute the project.”

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