Mapithel Dam : Seepage evokes fear, EE allays
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal,July 23 2015:
In the wake of the torrential rainfall in the last couple of days, seepage of water through Mapithel Dam was seen at some points thereby triggering a panicky situation among people of the surrounding areas.
However, the engineers concerned have asserted that the people's fear was ill-founded and there is no imminent danger.
A joint team of the Mapithel Dam Affected Ching-Tam Organisation (MDACTO), Tumukhong Village Development Committee (TVDC) and media persons visited the dam site today.
Taking serious note of the villagers' growing fear about any disastrous eventuality on account of seepage of water, the team met Thoubal Project Division Executive Engineer Irom Mohindro.
Mohindro said that the Mapithel Dam's diversion channel was blocked since January 10 this year.
Seepage of water occurs through most of the dams constructed across the planet even though they were made of concrete.
Whether the seepage poses risks or not can be ascertained from the water turbidity.
He categorically stated that seepage of water from Mapithel Dam does not pose any risk.
The dam is fitted with both vertical filter and horizontal filter.
At present, the dam is used for checking water overflow.
It's like blocking a river current by building an embankment.
In addition to giving due emphasis to the qualitative aspect in the process of constructing the dam, technical experts have also been also contacted from time to time.
A fresh target has been set to complete the dam project fully by the end of the next working season, said the Executive Engineer.
To MDACTO's complaint that no economic rehabilitation measures have been taken up so far despite Government's assurance to this effect, Irom Mohindro maintained that physical rehabilitation packages have been given to most of the villagers whose villages have been submerged by the dam.
The Expert Review Committee set up in connection with Mapithel Dam consulted different departments and considered about ensuring economic rehabilitation of all the affected people living in both the upstream and the downstream.
But no economic rehabilitation packages have been given till date.
The Government is likely to give economic rehabilitation packages after the project is completely in totality, he said.
What the EE said to the joint team was later conveyed to the worried villagers at Tumukhong community hall.
But the villagers were not fully convinced and they expressed keen desire for keeping in place a prior warning system.