IT News
Imphal, Dec 1:
The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Manipur has not responded to an RTI query filed over 80 days ago regarding whether it received compensation for allowing sludge from the Lamphel Waterbody Project to be dumped on its campus.
The RTI was filed to verify an unverified report that suggests that NIT Manipur may have received funds from the project for hosting sludge. Without a formal response from the institute, it remains unclear whether any payment was made by the Water Resources Department or if the claims are baseless. The extended delay in responding—well beyond the usual 30-day RTI deadline—has only heightened public suspicion that NIT may be withholding critical information.
Previously, NIT Manipur consistently responded to RTI queries within the stipulated 30-day period. However, this time, the institute has failed to provide any information even after 80 days. This delay raises concerns and suggests that NIT might be withholding information it does not want to disclose to the public.
Since the Rs. 650 crore Lamphelpat Waterbody Project began, approximately 180 acres of the NIT campus have been inundated with organic sludge, rendering significant areas unusable.
The Lamphelpat Waterbody Project is a visionary initiative designed to tackle urban flooding challenges in Imphal while ensuring water security and fostering eco-tourism. Through strategic planning, sustainable practices, and active community engagement, the Government of Manipur aims to transform the city with a project that could serve as a model for urban flood management across similar regions.
With a remarkable water storage capacity of 124 million cubic meters, the Lamphelpat waterbody is projected to supply potable water to more than 400,000 residents of Imphal city through the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
This revitalization effort goes beyond water management, focusing on safeguarding the ecological balance of the Nambul River, enhancing the area’s natural beauty, and unlocking its ecotourism potential.
Dredging and clearing activities, including the removal of phumdis and vegetation, are being executed by Reach Private Limited, Kolkata, as part of the ongoing project.
The extended delay in responding to the RTI query raises serious concerns about NIT Manipur’s accountability, with some fearing that the institution may be deliberately hiding information that could shed light on the financial arrangements behind the project. The public has a right to know how its resources are being used, and transparency is essential to maintaining trust in institutions that are meant to serve the community.
