RITES to assess water route feasibility
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 28 2011:
Deputy General Manager of the Rail India Technical Evaluation Services (RITES), AN Mishra arrived here today to conduct a field assessment of the feasibility of introducing mechanised vessels in the major rivers of Manipur so that agriculture, forest and horticulture produces can be transported from interior areas at the cheapest rate.
AN Mishra is also the Deputy General Manager of the Ports and Waterways Division.
He held a meeting with top officials of the State Inland Water Transport Wing today and discussed about developing waterways on major rivers of the State.
The meeting was attended by Inland Water Transport Wing Chairman BK Sharma, LDA Project Director Th Ibobi, Additional Secretary (Transport) Marangcha Luikham, Deputy Director (Transport) Shivadas, IFCD SE (Flood Management Circle), DTO Imphal East and DTO Imphal West.
The meeting noted that it would not feasible to introduce mechanised vessels in major rivers Imphal river, Iril river due to presence of many bridges excepting Barak river.
The meeting also noted the feasibility of developing waterways in Loktak lake and Barak river for introducing mechanised vessels.
It was also agreed to conduct spot assessment on Barak river and Loktak lake for the same purpose by a joint team led by RITES Deputy General Manager AN Mishra.
As per the decisions of the meeting, the official team would visit Loktak lake tomorrow, followed by another trip to Barak river on the next day.
If the team finds Loktak lake and Barak river suitable for introducing mechanised vessels, the task of conducting survey would be entrusted to Larson and Turbo Private Limited.
It is hoped that problem of horticulture produces laying waste in interior areas of hill districts due to lack of access to markets can be ameliorated considerably once the inland waterways are developed.
It would also go a long way in mitigating the problem of transporting forest produces due to absence of good roads and the associated high transportation charges.