MLA Ranjit queries on ownership of Loktak project
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 31 2022:
Congress MLA K Ranjit has asked if the state government will continue to remain silent on ownership of Loktak project by National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) till the Loktak lake goes extinct.
As the Loktak lake dries up and reaches the stage of extinction due to the project, NHPC has been earning huge profit since the past 30-40 years but providing only 12 per cent of the total power generated to the state, Ranjit said while raising Policy Cut Motion when demand for grants for power department was moved in the Assembly on Saturday.
Expressing serious concern over present condition of Loktak lake as a consequence of construction of Ithai barrage to facilitate operation of the Loktak hydro-electric project, Ranjit said Ithai barrage has been causing siltation and reducing water holding capacity of Loktak lake as the water body is confluence of nearly 20 rivers.
Sand and other objects brought down by these rivers are being blocked by Ithai barrage which otherwise flowed naturally before start of the project.
In his clarification, chief minister N Biren said the state government had in past written to the Centre about de-commissioning the project but there has to be alternative power generating unit before de-commissioning the project.
The state got approval for taking up 28 mini hydroelectric projects each having capacity to generate 5MW each and Loktak project could be de-commissioned if these projects are implemented and the state has alternative power generation source.