Shillong, June 2 (IANS) Meghalaya Power Minister A.T. Mondal Wednesday promised that there will be no power cuts during the FIFA World Cup matches to start in South Africa June 11.
‘We are concerned with the sentiments of soccer lovers and football players. Soccer lovers can enjoy the World Cup matches,’ Mondal told legislators during question hour in the assembly.
Mondal urged the people of the state to pray for more rain so it improves the power situation in this mountainous state.
Meghalaya, which was once a power surplus state, has now become power deficit. The state could generate only 175 MW against the peak hour demand of 650 MW, which is exclusively hydel-based power generation.
The state witnesses load shedding daily after the water level at Umiam dam reservoir dropped due to scanty rainfall.
The minister said the load shedding in various district headquarters and in Shillong, the state capital of Meghalaya, is fixed as per the quantum of power available in the area.
‘The load shedding will continue until the power availability improves,’ Mondal said in reply to a question.
The 84 MW Myntdu Leshka hydro electric project is also expected to be commissioned to ease the state power defecit.
