Aizawl: CM Lalduhoma on Monday laid the foundation stone for the 24-Megawatt Tuirini Small Hydro Electricity Power Project (SHEP) on the banks of the Tuirini river near Sesawng in Aizawl district.State home minister K Sapdanga attended the event as a guest of honour, while power and electricity (P&E) minister F Rodingliana chaired the foundation stone-laying ceremony.
The Tuirini SHEP will be implemented as an externally aided project at an estimated cost of Rs 676.98 crore, funded through a loan from the New Development Bank (NDB), Shanghai. Under the funding arrangement, 80% of the project cost will be borne by the central govt as a loan, while the remaining 20% will be contributed by the state govt. The project is scheduled to be completed within five years.The P&E department submitted the proposal for the project to the state govt on Feb 5, 2024. It was approved by the state-level screening committee on April 4, 2024, followed by approval for external funding by the department of economic affairs screening committee on Feb 28, 2025.Addressing the gathering, Lalduhoma lauded the dedication and commitment of the power minister and officials of the P&E department in strengthening Mizoram’s power generation capacity. He recalled that the 10-MW Thenzawl Solar Power Plant was inaugurated last month, while construction of a 5-MW Solar Power Plant at Sumsuih is underway, with about 20 per cent of the work completed. Both solar projects are fully owned by the Mizoram govt.Referring to the proposed Tuivai hydro-electric project near the Manipur border, the CM said the Central Water Commission had initially planned the project with a capacity of 210 MW, but it was later revised to 132 MW due to concerns over submergence of areas in Manipur. He said the DEA, ministry of finance, has approved the preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR), selection of a private developer, issuance of tender, and signing of agreements by the state govt.An amount of Rs 2.3 crore has been sanctioned for appointing a transaction adviser and Ernst & Young LLP has been engaged for the purpose.
