15 june 2011
The reservoir of the 275 MW hydel project at Umrangso, a border area between Assam and Meghalaya, was found to contain acidic water discharged from the Kharkhar river, a tributary of the Kopili river originating in the Jaintia Hills.
"Unscientific coal mining in Meghalaya has affected the Kopili Hydel Project. Its life-span is very uncertain as most of the machinery is corroded due to sulpuric acid content in the reservoir," NEEPCO technical director Utpal Moral told IANS Tuesday.
According to Moral, the discharge of toxic wastes from the mines has contaminated the water, affecting the project's functioning.
"Important machinery and even the structure of the dam are being corroded due to the acid drainage. The approximate cost for the repair of the damaged parts is Rs.1.5 crore," the official said.
"Rat-hole coal mining carried out unscientifically has led to severe degradation of the environment. In fact, Meghalaya doesn't have a mining policy of its own despite its abundant mineral wealth," Moral added.
Acidic reservoir threatens Meghalaya's hydel project
Shillong: The Kopili Hydel Project in Meghalaya, owned by the North Eastern Electric Corporation (NEEPCO), has come under threat from high content of acid in its reservoir due to unscientific coal mining in the region, a senior official said Tuesday.
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"Unscientific coal mining in Meghalaya has affected the Kopili Hydel Project. Its life-span is very uncertain as most of the machinery is corroded due to sulpuric acid content in the reservoir," NEEPCO technical director Utpal Moral told IANS Tuesday.
According to Moral, the discharge of toxic wastes from the mines has contaminated the water, affecting the project's functioning.
"Important machinery and even the structure of the dam are being corroded due to the acid drainage. The approximate cost for the repair of the damaged parts is Rs.1.5 crore," the official said.
"Rat-hole coal mining carried out unscientifically has led to severe degradation of the environment. In fact, Meghalaya doesn't have a mining policy of its own despite its abundant mineral wealth," Moral added.
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