A network of villages and farmers on the banks of the Umngot River has objected to the proposed public hearing to be conducted by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) for construction of the mega dam.
The project to set up the 210 MW Umngot mega dam was terminated by the State government in August last year. However, it decided to revive the project, which was planned by the MeECL since 2007.
The public hearing is called at Moosakhia village in Amlarem, West Jaiñtia Hills district on April 9.
Ka Kynhun Ki Nongrep Harud Wah Umngot, which had opposed the dam throughout since its inception, has raised its opposition to the public hearing through a letter to the pollution board today.
The network raised three pointers against holding the public hearing. It says that the board has not issued the Environment Impact Assessment report, no notice on the public hearing and village heads were not consulted nor are aware of any survey conducted.
“We have aired out opposition since 2007 and we will continue to take a firm stand against this project since it will not only affect Siangkhnai village but other villages situated near the project area,” the network said.
It may be mentioned, that as per project documents, 13 villages located in West Jaiñtia Hills and East Khasi Hills, are likely to lose some 296 hectares of land to submergence.
Records show that seven villages whose cultivated lands are in the submergence area Umsawar, Mawdulop, Mynsang, Jatah Nonglyer, Ksanrngi, and Mawsir.
