IMPHAL: The Thoubal Multipurpose Project will be inaugurated in the month of September 2016, declared G Robindro Sharma, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control Department (IFCD).
He said this while addressing media persons at a press conference organized by DIPR at its office complex today at Moirangkhom as part of the series to highlight the developmental activities and achievements of various departments of the Government of Manipur.
He further informed that almost all the components of the project including the dam, spillway, barrage and canal system is almost complete with only black topping of the top of the dam remaining.
The project on completion will supply 10 mn gallons of water/per day for the Imphal water supply.
Another important project the Dolaithabi Barrage project which was cleared for Rs.18.86 crore in 1992 About 95% of trhe barrage component and 58% of the canal system is completed and is targeted to be inaugurated in March next year. This project envisages diverting the flow of the Iril River to irrigate 5,500 ha. of CCA for a potential of 7,545 ha. in the Imphal East District of Manipur. The latest revised cost of the project is Rs.508.48crore.
The completed irrigation projects which the IFCD undertook include Sekami Barrage Project, Imophal Barrage Project, Loktak Lift Project Singda Multipurpose Project and the Khouupum Dam Project. The completed projects at present have an irrigation potential of 6350 Ha. against the ultimate potential of 43642 Ha. The main reason behind this gap between the ultimate potential and the present status the lack of maintenance fund. The department is planning to take up Extension Renovation & Mordernisation (ERM) of these completed projects with Central Assistance under AIBP of MoWR.
The Detailed Project Report for 4(four) completed medium projects viz, the Sekmai, Imphal, Loktak Lift Irrigation & Singda projects has been accepted by the Ministry of Water Resources and the Planning Commission also accorded Investment Clearance with a total cost of Rs.87.18 crore.
Another major activity and duty of the IFCD department is flood control. In this regard it has taken up several schemes including 22 schemes under FMP of MoWR. Out of the above 12 schemes sanction during 2007-08 with a total cost of Rs. 39.39 crores has been completed up to the end of 2009-10. The remaining 10 schemes sanctioned during 2010-11 with a total cost of Rs.69.70 crores are physically completed up to the end of 2013-14.
Further, five new schemes for Anti-Erosion Flood Control Works with a total cost of Rs. 626.63 crores has been proposed to the MoWR, RD & GR, Government of India for consideration during 2015-16. Besides, seven schemes under NEC have been sanctioned and is being implemented with the total cost of Rs 27.85 crore.
But despite these schemes flash flood is a reality from which people of this state cannot runn away come rainy season. There are several factors responsible for this including growing urbanization which has eaten away detention basins in the valley, high intensity rainfall in the catchment of rivers, massive deforestation resulting in siltation in the river beds reducing the water holding capacity of the rivers. Besides this construction of structures by different departments along the river course obstructs free flow of water. While controlling flood, one of the major problem faced by IFCD said the chief engineer is failure to open the gates of Ithai Barrage in time.
Another major cause of flood is the farming activities taken along the river banks by residents but the IFCD, Robindro Sharma said is powerless to take up any action as the Flood Palin Zoning Act 1982 is not strong enough to take punitive action against these people.
He also cited lack of fund to take up major dredging activities which could increase the water retention capacity of the rivers in the state which could prevent major floods in the state.
The chief engineer also informed that his department is fully prepared to deal with any eventuality during this rainy season. For this purpose the IFCD department has set up a 24 hour control room manned by an SC with EEs, AEs and SOs under him. Along with this a 24 hour store room has also been opened from which the public can avail flood fighting equipments. The flood control room can be reached at the number 2451550.
