REC Facilitates Landmark MoU Between MePDCL and CPRI to Establish Meghalaya’s First NABL-Accredited Power Testing Facility

New Delhi, Nov 14: REC Limited, a Maharatna PSU under the Ministry of Power, has played a key role in facilitating a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Meghalaya Power Distribution Corporation Limited (MePDCL) and the Central Power Research Institute (CPRI).

The agreement, signed in New Delhi in the presence of Meghalaya Chief Secretary Dr. Shakeel P. Ahammed, REC CMD Shri Jitendra Srivastava, CPRI DG Dr. J. Sreedevi, REC ED Shri Prince Dhawan, and other senior officials, aims to significantly strengthen the quality-testing ecosystem for power infrastructure in Meghalaya under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

The MoU focuses on establishing a NABL-accredited testing facility within the state—a major step towards resolving long-standing logistical challenges faced by North Eastern states, which currently rely on distant laboratories for material testing. The new facility is expected to reduce delays in assessing critical equipment such as distribution transformers and accelerate the progress of RDSS projects.

Under the agreement, CPRI will provide comprehensive technical support, including preparation of detailed procurement specifications, documentation guidance, and supervisory assistance to help MePDCL develop the infrastructure required for NABL accreditation. MePDCL will procure key testing equipment, upgrade existing assets, and prepare the facility for inspection, while CPRI will train local personnel to enhance technical capacity.

REC Limited, acting as the nodal agency for RDSS, mediated the collaboration and underlined its commitment to enforcing strict quality standards and ensuring timely project execution across the North-East. The initiative is expected to improve field material quality testing and significantly streamline inspection processes within the region.

Speaking at the signing, the Chief Secretary of Meghalaya said the initiative would accelerate RDSS works and build vital in-house testing capabilities for MePDCL. He commended the corporation’s efforts to ensure robust quality certification for upcoming power infrastructure. REC CMD Shri Jitendra Srivastava described the MoU as a milestone in overcoming the geographical constraints that hinder quality assessment in the region, adding that a local NABL-accredited facility would ensure that RDSS projects meet the highest standards while directly benefiting consumers. He also acknowledged the contributions of Sh. Sanjay Goyal, CMD MeECL, and Shri Prince Dhawan, ED REC.

The partnership between MePDCL, CPRI, and REC reflects a shared commitment to improving power reliability, strengthening quality control frameworks, and enhancing service delivery for the people of Meghalaya.