Shillong:
The division bench of the High Court of Meghalaya suggested the state to look into the prospect of setting up small water-based power plants in view of the hilly terrain, the heavy rains and the availability of flowing water for most parts of the year.
Hearing a PIL on Tuesday, the division bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Judge W Diengdoh observed that smaller power projects would also ensure that large deforestation need not be resorted to. In places, the terrain is tailor-made for small hydel projects and at other places, existing hydel projects may be augmented.
“A blueprint requires to be prepared as to the steps necessary to be taken with empirical studies on the expected demand say five years or 15 years down the line and the infrastructure development to be undertaken by the State to meet such increased demand over a period of time. There is no band-aid solution which may be resorted to in this case,” the court stated.
It is hoped that the outlines of a long-term plan to ensure that there is no shortfall of electricity in the state.
“For the limited purpose of meeting the immediate demand, the State should also explore the possibilities of availing of power from the open grid or from other Central power agencies which have excess supply available,” the Court stated.
It is recorded that the state submits that the Ganol Hydel Project has already been synchronised and it is expected to be commissioned on August 1, 2023 and the court noted that more such projects are necessary.
The matter is listed on September 8.