Mizoram: PM Modi dedicates Tuirial hydro power project to the nation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday dedicated the 60 MW Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project (HEPP) to the nation. The project has been built at a cost of ₹ 1,302 crore.

Speaking at the inaugurattion, the Prime Minister called the 60 Mega-Watt project a significant milestone in the history of Mizoram.

"Today we gather here to celebrate a significant mile-stone in the history of Mizoram: the completion and dedication of the 60 Mega-Watt Tuirial Hydropower Project," he said.

PM Modi said that this project will boost the socio-economic development of the State. He said the this project was first cleared by PM Vajpayee ji, way back in 1998 but got delayed.

"The project was first cleared by the Union Government of PM Vajpayee ji, way back in 1998 but got delayed. The completion of this project is a reflection of our commitment to complete ongoing projects and usher in a new era of development in the North Eastern region," the Prime Minister added.

PM Modi said that the development of Northeast started under former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee and the current government has taken that vision ahead.

"During the tenure of Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee significant work was done for the development of the Northeast. We have taken forward this vision and are devoting resources for the progress of the Northeast. My ministerial colleagues are frequently visiting the Northeast," he said.

The Tuirial Hydro Electric Power Project (HEPP) has been constructed as a Central Sector Project and implemented by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO), under the administrative control of the Union power ministry.

Praising his cabinet, the Prime Minister said that there have over 150 ministerial visits from the current government.

"There have been over 150 Ministerial visits. Our initiative- the Ministry of DoNER at your doorstep has added impetus to the development of the Northeast. It has enabled us to understand the aspirations of the Northeast even better," he said.

Tuirial HEPP is the biggest power project located in Mizoram and will feed the entire energy to be generated to the home State. The State's current demand of electricity is 87 MW and this is being met by the mini power projects and availability of its share of power from central sector projects.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) had cleared the project for implementation in July 1998 with commissioning scheduled in July 2006.

A Power Ministry statement said; "After completion of about 30 per cent of the project activities, the works were totally suspended from June 2004 due to local agitation. With sustained efforts by NEEPCO and with the active support of the Ministry of Power and Ministry of DoNER, Government of India and Government of Mizoram, the stalled works of the project were resumed in January 2011."

The first unit was commissioned on August 25, 2017 and the second November 28, 2017.

Mizoram will now be the third power-surplus state in North East India after Sikkim and Tripura.

The prime minister will also be addressing public rallies and inaugurating various projects in Mizoram and Meghalaya, which he said will give a fresh impetus to the development journey of the northeast. He is scheduled to inaugurate the new BJP Meghalaya unit office during the visit.

The Prime Minister's trip comes after several proposed visits to the state by BJP president Amit Shah were postponed earlier this year due to his engagements in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh.

BJP is already in power in Assam, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh among the northeast states.

OneIndia New