Concern Over Move To Shift NEEPCO Office From Shillong To Guwahati

SHILLONG: Employees of the North East Electrical Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) have expressed their deep concern over a purported move to shift the NEEPCO office from Shillong to Guwahati.

NEEPCO, which was formed in April, 1976, has been functioning from the Meghalaya capital since its inception.

As per reports, talks of the NEEPCO office being shifted from Shillong to Guwahati have been making the rounds and this has resulted in confusion and anxiety among its employees. They have appealed to the Meghalaya government to take necessary steps so that the office is not shifted.

It may be mentioned that Arunachal Pradesh had signed a MoA (Memorandum of Agreement) with the NEEPCO in August this year for the development of two hydro-power projects in the State. The MoA is for construction of the 90-MW (megawatt) 'New Melling' project in Tawang and the 120 MW Nafra project in West Kameng district, it was stated by a communique from the CMO (Chief Minister's Office).

The MoA was signed by Hydro Power Commissioner P.S. Lokhande on behalf of the State government and NEEPCO Chief Managing Director V.K. Singh, in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein. Speaking on the occasion, Khandu said the CPSUs (Central Public Sector Undertakings) will be the harbinger of investment in Arunachal. He also appreciated the performance of NEEPCO in developing hydropower in the Himalayan State.

After the signing of MoA, the total project allotted to NEEPCO shall be six with total installed capacity of 1325 MW. Of the six projects, the NEEPCO has already commissioned three projects – 600 MW Kameng, 405 MW Ranganadi and 110 MW Pare.