Foundation stone laid for 132 KW transmission line

Shillong, Dec 12 (UNI) In a major boost to the power sector in the Garo Hills region, Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Mukul Sangma laid the foundation stone of the 132 KW Agia-Nongalbibra Single Circuit Transmission line.

Meghalaya State Electricity Board (MSEB) officials said here today that Mr Sangma, also the state Power Incharge, laid another transmission line for the sub-division complex at Mendipathar, West Garo Hills District on December 10.

The transmission line had been conceptualised more than a decade back and the Ninth and Tenth Five Year Plans had passed the proposals to get it materialised, the MSEB officials added.

However, with the efforts of Dr Sangma, during his brief stint as the state Power Minister, the DoNER Ministry and North Eastern Council finally sanctioned the project in March at an estimated cost of Rs 43.32 crore.

The alternate power supply route to Garo Hills, work for which would begin in January, would not only solve the problems of frequest power failures and low voltage but also boost the socio-economic condition of the people in the region.

While dedicating the project to the people of Garo Hills, Dr Sangma said it was a very important project as it would solve the power problems of the region.

Dr Sangma said the state had incurred a loss of Rs 22 crore this year due to the frequent loadshedding.

Dr Sangma also informed about the various activities taking place in the power sector and said through the new power policy, the state government would be able to produce more than 700 MW power by tapping the state's scarce resources.

UNI