SHILLONG:
The Centre has sanctioned Rs 180 crore for implementing the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) in the state.
Umiam dam is one amongst the dams in the country which have been included for rehabilitation under the DRIP by the Central government.
“Under the first phase, we have been sanctioned around Rs 180 crore of which we have tendered around Rs 15 crore…,” Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited Sanjay Goyal told reporters on Tuesday.
He said the DRIP is looking not only into the safety of the dams but so many other parameters like the lifespan of the dam, what kind of interventions are required to increase the life of the dam. It is a very scientific approach which the government of India is taking up.
“The idea is that under this project, we take up the safety and the rehabilitation of all the structures which are related to dams…,” he said while adding that “this project is to be implemented till 2025 and I am sure we have enough time in our hand to take up these activities.”
Goyal informed that two packages under DRIP have been finalised so far while the other packages are being referred to the ministry concerned for clearance and “the moment we get the clearances from there, we will take up the works”.
As far as the Umiam dam is concerned, Goyal said that as per the studies conducted by the various agencies, the bridge over the dam is safe as of now.
“We have done lots of tests earlier also in terms of the vibration test and all. Of course, the bearings on which it (bridge) is resting have become old and that retrofitting work we are contemplating and we will take up whenever we are ready with all the precautions and machinery which are required,” he said.
The managing director said that they are also taking up as far as the Umiam dam is concerned under the DRIP of the Centre for which studies are going on.
“Studies are going on as to what kinds of interventions are required. Whether there are leakages which are beyond permissible limits? Whether there are cracks in the dam or not? Those studies are going on and there has been direction from the government that we involve IIT Guwahati and it is already on board for giving us this report as far as safety of the super structure is concerned. We have already taken up the matter with IIT Guwahati and I am sure they will do a good job and submit a report to us,” he added.
Further, Goyal said that under DRIP, they had also taken certain categories of work in the Leshka power project and other dams.