Joint panel for Ithai Barrage set up: CM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 22 2018: A joint committee of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Water Resources Department has been constituted to handle the task of opening Ithai Barrage gates, stated Chief Minister N Biren while replying to a question raised by Opposition Member K Ranjit in the State Assembly today.

Earlier, it was NHPC alone which operated the Ithai Barrage gates.

K Ranjit asked whether there is any plan to decommission Ithai Barrage, whether the State Government wrote to the Central Government for decommissioning the barrage and whether it is true that Ithai Barrage has led to siltation on river beds.

Replying to the questions, Water Resources Minister Letpao Haokip said that the Ithai Barrage is not within the purview of the State Government as the barrage was constructed by NHPC.

Joint panel for Ithai Barrage set up: CM

Whereas large number of people faced many difficulties at the time of floods, NHPC was often reluctant to open Ithai Barrage gates as they wanted to store water for power generation, said the Minister.

Regarding siltation of river beds, the Water Resources Minister assured that the Government would work to take up a de-siltation programme.

Replying to corollary questions, Chief Minister N Biren said that taking serious note of the miserable situation faced by a large number of people at the time of floods on account of the Ithai Barrage the matter was discussed with the Union Power Minister together with the Governor.

The adverse impacts of the barrage to ecology was also discussed at length.

Earlier, the Ithai Barrage gates were opened when NHPC decided so.

This sudden opening of the barrage gates often led to breach of river banks particularly in the southern portion of the valley.

They (NHPC) ought to pay compensation for repairing breached river banks but they remained indifferent most of the time.

There were cases when they did not even pick up the phone, the Chief Minister said.

Now the State Government and the NHPC have reached an agreement under which a joint committee would handle the task of opening and closing the Ithai Barrage gates, Biren informed the House.

Replying to a query raised by Kh Joykisan, Letpao Haokip said that construction of retaining wall along Sekmai River has been going on hear the Sekmai Bridge.

To a probe from Joykisan, Letpao said that befitting action would be taken up if any compromise on the qualitative aspect of the retaining wall construction work is detected.

Responding to another question raised by K Ranjit, Letpao said that the responsibility of Water Resources Department regarding Thoubal Dam is limited to supplying water up to Chingkhei Ching.

He added that distribution of water to different areas of Imphal valley is the responsibility of PHED.

Thoubal Dam would supply 45 million litres of raw water to Chingkhei Ching water supply project daily.

PHED is the implementing agency for the Chingkhei Ching water treatment plant and the work of laying underground pipes is on the verge of completion, he said.

Replying to another query raised by O Lukhoi, Letpao Haokip said that the Imphal Barrage is equipped with five fates and the gate no 5 was repaired in 2014.He further assured that the Government would see if two/ three other gates can be repaired.