IT News
Imphal, Jan 25: Controversy surrounding over the construction of Ithai Barrage as well the Loktak Hydro Electric Power project appears to be the final outcome of the irresponsive attitude of the then respective government as the proposed project has not been completed till date. The unfortunate part is that none of the respective government whoever is in the power had never open the chapter of what went wrong to the implementation of the project but rather those who are in the power concealed the reality of the project instead of implementing it for reason best known to them.
In yet another break through by Imphal Times, it has been learnt that Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project which was designed to generate 105 MW of power was only a part of the Loktak Lake Multipurpose Project (LLMPP). Had the other programme included in the project be successfully implemented there would not have been much criticism towards the Loktak Hydro Electric Power Project as it is being charged today.
As according to the findings of Imphal Times, it has been learnt that Loktak Lake Multipurpose Project was conceived in the later part of the sixties and the execution of the project started during the IVth plan period (’69-’74), after experiencing one of the worst flood in the history of the state during the month of July in 1966. Flood level recorded on July 6 of the year was 771.63 metres at Loktak Lake (near Ningthoukhong). The Union government of India taking serious note of the prevailing situation had sent one of its most experience engineer by profession and the then Minister for Irrigation and Power Dr. KL Rao and his team from CW & PC (presently CWC & CEA) to take stock of the situation in the state. Mr. KL Rao along with the then Chief Minister of Manipur M. Koireng paid inspection visit to all the affected area of the valley region on September 28 and 29 of 1966.
Under his supervision the detail project report was prepared and the central government reportedly approved the DPR. As according to the approved DPR the main proposed of the Loktak Lake Multipurpose Project was to mitigate the flood in the Manipur Valley by utilizing data available from several observations and readings; to provide better irrigation facilities to about 60 acres of fertile western part of Manipur valley, by providing better irrigation facilities in the area; to generate about 450 MU of energy annually, from the 105 MW Loktak Power station located at the right bank Leimatak River and to reclaim about 57,000 acres of new land to be made available for agricultural purpose around the Peripheral area of Loktak Lake and also its associated Lakes. The project also aimed to developed fisheries, communication and others etc.
As for generating power for the Loktak Hydro Electric Project the DPR also approved for construction of Ithai Barrage at the present side.
In contradiction to the project the state has been facing several criticisms either knowingly or unknowingly to the Power Project as well as the Ithai barrage. All criticism however were sharps and favours the interest of the local people.
It is a well known fact that had the Loktak Lake Multipurpose Project (LLMPP) been implemented fairly much of the controversies surrounding over the Loktak Power Project, Phumdi clearance and other works would not have existed.