Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 11:
A meeting is being convened at New Delhi on September 18 wherein the main agenda would be obtaining environmental clearance to commence construction work for the 1500 megawatt Tipaimukh Multi-purpose Project.
The meeting of the Expert Appraisal Committee will be represented by officials of the State's Power Department, said a source and added that the crucial meeting would be held under the chairmanship of the Expert Appraisal Committee P Abraham, who is also the Power secretary in the Union Ministry.
In order to convince the Central Government authorities to approve the environmental clearance, it is said that along with sufficient deployment of State security forces all relevant scientific information have already been collected and documented from the project site.
Overshadowed by controversies commencement of Project works had repeatedly suffered setbacks due to certain section of the society strongly opposing the mega project with the contention that environmental damage caused by it would be irreparable in addition to the armed Hmar People's Convention (D) setting aflame drilling machines at the Project site some months back to demonstrate its opposition to the project.
In the backdrop of the security concerns for the Project, whose foundation stone was laid by the Union Power minister Sushil Kumar Shinde, and consequent upon the Union Home Ministry's directive that no less than four battalion of security force to shield the Dam from destructive elements, State police authorities had assessed the ground reality and submitted its findings to the Union Ministry.
The Project is to be constructed by the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO).
The source also said that among others, the meeting would be attended by State's Power Secretary, Principal Chief conservator of Forest, member Secretary of State Pollution Control Board (Churachandpur) and Deputy Commissioner of Tamenglong district.
It may be mentioned that officials of the Union Power Ministry-constituted Expert Appraisal Committee had already visited the Dam site and interacted with the local populace.
On the other hand, a review meeting with regard to the Loktak Conservation Project is being convened at New Delhi on September 17 by the Union Planning Commission which will be attended by State officials.
Ahead of the said meeting the Chief Secretary today held discussions on the Project with the Principal Secretary (Planning) DS Poonia and LDA Project Director Gojen.
Apart from the three officials, Principal Chief Conservator of Forest will attend the Meeting.