Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma treaded a fine line when he met with a delegation of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the Umngot Hydro Electric Project here today.
While giving the delegation a patient hearing and promising to consult with legislators from the area, the CM declined to give an assurance that he would scrap the controversial project.
“We have demanded from the government to scrap this project because it will affect the livelihood of the people, like the tourism sector, aquatic life and pollute the Umngot River,” JAC member Treibor Suchen told reporters afterwards. “If the dam has to be constructed there will be submergence of almost 390 hectares of agricultural land.”
He also said that if the project were to go ahead, 20-25 villages and 10,000 people who live next to the Umngot will be affected. Instead, the JAC urged the government to consider mini-hydroelectric projects.
The government had, in the past, held two public hearings – one in East Khasi Hills (Siangkhnai) and the other in West Jaiñtia Hills (Moosakhiang) – where the villagers had opposed the project. Despite the opposition, the government has proposed a third public hearing.
“Looking at the situation arising out of the two public hearings, we are surprised the government is looking forward to the construction of the Umngot Hydel Project,” Suchen added.
