Our Correspondent
Imphal, August 18 (EMN): Manipur based civil society organisations and NGOs have started to discuss the pro and cons of Loktak Multipurpose Project (LMP) in the state while others are looking for necessary steps in case of any consequences if the proposed review activities comes into force in reality. On the other hand, various local bodies and environmentalists are demanding decommissioning of the project considering its impact on the state’s environment.
However the recent trend of holding public discussion and consultation came into light soon after the state Chief Minister N Biren Singh urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the LMP and Ithai barrage for a permanent solution in the state during their meeting in Guwahati on August 1 this year.
The LMP was taken up in 1983 to provide regulated storage to generate 105 MW of power and lift irrigation. The main component of the project include Ithai barrage (35ft high dam) across Manipur River with three spillway bays. Biren had also reportedly expressed his desire for dredging the river beds of all the rivers in the state and to conduct eviction drives against the encroachments on the banks of the rivers besides maintaining natural water course by removing Ithai barrage to control flood in the state.
On August 5, Loktak Project Affected Area Action Committee (LPAAAC), Committee on Human Rights Manipur (CHRM), Centre for Research and Advocacy Manipur (CRAM) and Irabot Foundation Manipur (IFM) has demanded the review of LMP to take appropriate steps to decommissioning Ithai barrage at the earliest. A recent public consultation on a similar issue by North East Dialogue Forum, ECO-Network, People’s Platform Secretariat, Social Action Committee and United NGOs Mission, Manipur also echoed the similar sentiment. Claiming that the LMP is responsible for the recurrent floods in the state, Secretary Jiten Yumnam of CRAM alleged that authority of the project refuses to take responsibility for such loss of properties during flood.
The total damages inflicted by the recent floods in Manipur has been estimated at Rs 223.83 crore which has been further increased to Rs. 358.23 crore while a total of 78,677 hectares of agricultural land including 77,900 hectares of paddy, 307 hectares of maize, 300 hectares of pulses, 150 hectares of oil seed and 20 hectares of sugarcane have been damaged. The practice of keeping the water level of the Lake above the mean sea level all year round for the functioning of the hydro project is the prime cause of frequent floods besides affecting the natural ecology, according to environmentalists.
At this juncture, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bobby Waikhom of Bishnupur district where LMP is located, accompanied by flood control department chief engineer Ksh Pritam, Loktak Development Authority Project Director L Bhagaton and NHPC officials visited the LMP sites including Ithai barrage site to oversee the inflow and outflow of water from Loktak Lake on Thursday.
