Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 11:
The foundation stones of the controversial Tipaimukh dam and the Loktak Down Stream Project are likely to be laid on December 18.
Disclosing this to The Sangai Express a reliable source said that the December 18 has been tentatively fixed following the assurance of the Prime Minister during his one day visit to the State on December 2 that the foundations of the two projects would be laid before Christmas.
The Prime Minister had assured that the foundation stones would be laid by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Dev.
The power to be generated by the two projects is estimated to be above 1500 megawatts and the total cost of the two is pegged at Rs 6,645 crores.
The source said that the December 18 date was tentatively fixed during a recent meeting between the two Union Ministers and Chief Minister O Ibobi and MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam at Delhi.
The approval of the Public Investment Board for the two power projects has been given, said the source and added that the environmental clearance is expected soon.
This was also conveyed by the Prime Minister.
Earlier it was planned that the Prime Minister would lay the foundation stone for Tipaimukh dam at Torbung in Churachandpur district while the foundation stone for Loktak Down Stream would be laid at Thangal village in Tamenglong district.
The plan was however dropped at the last minute.
During the recent visit to Delhi, Chief Minister O Ibobi and MPCC (I) president Gaikhangam met AICC chief Sonia Gandhi and urged her to visit the State, said the source.
If the fly over bridge is completed before the Election Code of Conduct comes into force then Sonia Gandhi would be urged to inaugurate the same.
Even if the Code of Conduct comes into force before the completion of the fly over, Sonia Gandhi would be urged to visit Manipur to campaign for the upcoming election.