Shillong, May 17: The decks have been cleared for mining uranium from Domiasiat in the West Khasi Hills, with individual landowners agreeing to allow the Uranium Corporation of India (UCI) to carry out exploratory work for testing and investigating the quality of the mineral available in that area.
Meghalaya chief secretary J. Tayeng told newsmen here today that the Atomic Energy Commission of India has earmarked Rs 450 crore for setting up a uranium-aided ?power generation plant? in Domiasiat.
He said the project would be ?economically viable? for generating hydroelectric power. Tayeng was speaking during the open session of the annual general meeting of the Shillong Press Club today.
Later, during an interaction with newsmen, Tayeng expressed confidence that bottlenecks would be removed.
He added that the UCI has started geophysical surveys in the area.
The initiation of the uranium mining project in 1992 witnessed a public outcry, with several social organisations putting up stiff resistance.
?But more and more people have now begun to realise the importance of mining uranium ore which can be used without any environmental hazards,? Tayeng said while reiterating the importance of mining the ore for generating power.
The chief secretary said the state government was playing the role of a facilitator and the intention was to make ?the West Khasi Hills the most progressive district in the state?.
?We have a lot of potential and we must understand that if the uranium is not exploited today, some alternative may be found for the mineral. Then, whatever reserve we have will become a total wastage,? Tayeng said.
He added that the state government would ensure that ?all kinds of preventive measures are adopted? before exploration of the ore from Domiasiat.
He also said the Bramhaputra Board had conducted a study on exploring the hydroelectric potential of the Kynshi. He added that the board had proposed several hydroelectric projects, each with a capacity of generating over 400 MW of power.
Tayeng also underscored the need to have a tourism policy where the thrust would be on setting up infrastructure.
The chief secretary said the state government was sincere in solving the problem of militancy.
?We have an open mind on the issue and have spelled it out to talk to the militant outfits across the table,? Tayeng said.
But he was guarded on the issue of whether third parties should be involved in negotiating with militant outfits and said the state government would take directions only from the Union home ministry.