LDAPWA decries delay of Loktak downstream project
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 14 2018:
The Loktak Downstream Affected Peoples' Welfare Association (LDAPWA) has decried the State Government for delaying the construction of Loktak Downstream Project in Tamenglong/Noney district.
A press release issued by the general secretary of LDAPWA explained that the proposal of Loktak Downstream Project was taken up when BJP led NDA Government was in power at the Centre in 1999 and after several surveys of the project site, an agreement was signed between the State Government and the National Hydro Electric Power Cooperation Limited (NHPC) on February 12, 1999.Pointing out that the project has been delayed for the last many years, it mentioned that an MoU was signed between the State Government and the NHPC for executing the project at Tamenglong/Noney, on September 19, 2007, but no tangible steps have been taken up till date.
It stated that the affected land owners have even provided No Objection Certificate (NOC) to the authority concerned but to no avail.
Making matters worse, the haphazard land acquisition process of agricultural lands, jungle clearance works, construction of roads etc have caused untold damages and inconveniences to the affected people as the agricultural lands have been lying unused for a long time.
Claiming that the implementation of the project has disturbed and adversely affected the socio economic conditions of the poor villagers, the association appealed to the State Government to sign the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) and other requirements to start the project at the earliest or to completely withdraw the project otherwise.