Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, December 13:
Taking up the issue of the controversial Tipaimukh Dam project in the Lok Sabha, MP of Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency Mani Charenamei has urged the Prime Minister and the Union Power Minister not to go ahead with the construction of dam but to start the Loktak Downstream Project at the earliest.
Raising the issue during zero hour of thse Lok Sabha session today, the MP from Manipur pointed out that inspite of public protest and opposition against the most controversial 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Dam planned over Barak river, the Centre and the NEEPCO are still continuing to bulldoze the project ignoring the objection of the people of Manipur.
While noting that Public Investment Board (PIB) has given its observation that Tipaimukh Project is not economically viable and the BIS has also reported that the dam site is situated is highly sensitive seismic zone, Charenamei observed that the environmental clearance has also not been given by the Ministry of Environment and Forest till date.
Expressing serious concern over the efforts being made to lay the foundation stone of the Dam on December 16 again, Charenamei said the people particularly the affected people are still ignorant about the impact of the dam.
There is absolute lack of transparency and the people have been kept in the dark, he said, adding that the Public hearings were opposed and it could not be held in the Tamenglong town.
It is still not understood why the Power Ministry does not go ahead with the Loktak Downstream project which is welcomed by the people of Manipur and which will be able to cater to the power requirement of the State, he said.