Initially, the power project had only two units and each could generate 42 MW. The project now has its third unit that will generate another 42 MW. The total generation of power from the project is 126 MW.
The first-ever worst dam tragedy that has affected the timely completion and commission of the much-awaited power project occurred in October 8, 2009 in which 15 labourers working inside the power house and the tunnel were killed due to the overflowing of water.
Debris entered the power house and flashflood inside the tunnel destroyed the machinery and equipments.
The first unit (42 MW) of the project was to start commissioning in December 2009 but was delayed following the incident.
Just within a year, another incident occurred on May 20 this year. The project that was to commission its first unit in June this year was again delayed indefinitely following destruction of electrical equipments inside the power house by flash flood that overflowed from the Mynriang river.
Following the two incidents, including the creation of the third unit, it was learnt that the cost of the project has escalated to more than Rs 800 crore which is more than double the amount that was initially sanctioned.
According to MeECL member DP Wahlang, the finance involved for MLHEP till date is estimated at Rs 965 crore.
But the inquiry committee constituted soon after the October 8, 2009 incident by MeSEB, now known as the Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited (MeECL), was not made known till date.
It was also not known if the MeECL had ordered a probe into the May 20 incident in which water that overflowed from Mynriang river had entered the power and as a result, generating equipments including the electronic equipments of the panels in the control room were damaged.
Observers pointed out that both the incidents were 'man-made' alleging human negligence.
The October 8, 2009 incident might not bring major damages to equipments if the tunnel was blocked especially to ensure safety of workers while the construction works inside the tunnel was going on that time.
Similarly, the water from the dam may not overflow with large volume of flash flood before bombarding the power house if all the seven gates of the dam were opened.
Interestingly, the second incident had allegedly occurred due to addition of third unit at the power house site by encroaching into the Mynriang river water ways and thereby reducing the river width, similar to the encroachment on the river banks of Wahumkhrah that have resulted in frequent floods in the Polo area.
The project is expected to start commisioning by January 2011.
Several attempts had been made to contact Chief Project Manager of MLHEP Elias Lyngdoh to get his views on the matter but in vain.