Dam takes first step amid bandh
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 16: Notwithstanding the strong opposition from several anti-dam bodies, the foundation stone for the Tipaimukh Project was finally laid today by Union Minister of Power, Sushil Kumar Shinde.

Amidst the boycott and general strike called by several anti-dam bodies, Shinde along with Union Heavy Industries Minister Santosh Mohan Dev, Labour and Employment Minister Oscar Fernandes and Minister Of State (PMO) Prithiviraj Chavan landed at Imphal airport in a special Indian Airforce plane today at around 10.30 am.

Shushil Kumar Shinde unveiling the foundation stone of Loktak Downstream and being received by the people of Parbung

From the airport, the Union Ministers accompanied by Chief Minister O Ibobi, Minister of Power Francis Ngajokpa, IFC Minister Phungzathang Tonsing and MPCC president Gaikhangam headed to Tipaimukh sub-division of Churachandpur district and Thangal village of Tamenglong district in two helicopters as per their itinerary to lay the foundation stones of Tipaimukh Project and the Loktak Downstream Project.

A simple function marked the foundation stone laying ceremony at Thangal village.

Traditional dances were also presented to welcome the visiting Union and State Ministers.

From Thangal village, they flew to Parbung before Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde, Minister of Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Dev, Chief Minister O Ibobi and Minister of State PMO, Prithiviraj Chavan proceeded to Tipaimukh Dam site where Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde laid the foundation stone of Tipaimukh Project.

Coming back to Parbung, the group of Ministers attended a public meeting there.

Addressing the gathering at Parbung, Sushil Kumar said that the Tipaimukh Project would be a great milestone in the socio-economic development of the State besides positively tackling the existing power shortage.

Stating that the Loktak Downstream Project is a joint venture of NHPC and Manipur Government, he informed that the annual output of the Project, when commissioned, would be 330 MU of power.

The Project would be completed within six years and a half, he mentioned.

Saying that 1,40,600 households are yet to be electrified, Sushil Kumar discosed that the Power Ministry has sanctioned Rs 94.63 crores for electrification of 244 villages in Chandel, Tamenglong and Ukhrul districts under Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Vidyutikaran Yojana.

In addition, the Ministry has sanctioned Rs 57.8 crores in-principle to provide electricity connection to 251 villages of Senapati district, he stated while assuring that every corner of Manipur would be electrified by 2012.For the first five years of commissioning Tipaimukh Project, the State Government would receive 5 percent of the total power produced free of cost, which would be Rs 50 crores in monetary value, the Union Power Minister said.

In the next 10 and 15 years, the State's share of 5 percent free power would be increased to 10 percent and 15 percent respectively.

The revenue generated from the State's share of free power would be a big boost to the economy of Manipur, he noted.

He further appealed to the people to coperate with NHPC and NEEPCO in the execution of the two projects with installed capacities of 66 MW and 1500 MW.

Taking part in the public meeting, Union Minister of Heavy Industries Santosh Mohan Dev remarked that December 16 would remain a 'red letter day' not only for Manipur but also for the entire North East region.

He attributed the industrial backwardness of the region to acute shortage of power. The undervelopment of the region even after more than 50 years of independence is because of power deficiency, he asserted.

The Tipaimukh Multi-purpose Project would not only get rid of power shortage but would also control floods downstream.

The surplus power generated by the Project would be exported through the National Power Grid, said Santosh Mohan Dev.

Disclosing that implementation of the Tipaimukh Project is also his dream project, he informed that all the Chief Ministers of Northeastern States had approved the Project.

Without power, no industry could be established, said Chief Minister O Ibobi while claiming that any misunderstanding could be addressed through peaceful talks.

He also appealed for cooperation from the people to implement the projects.

He further assured that not an inch of land under Parbung or Tipaimukh would be affected while unprading Jiribam to a revenue district.

While briefing media persons after laying the foundation stones, Sushil Kumar Shinde disclosed that Environmental Clearance has not yet been given to the Tipaimukh Project.

The foundation stone of the project was laid taking into account of the inrodinate delay and in consideration of the overall development of the State, he said.

When asked about rehabilitation, he said that the process to this end would be initiated once the necessary clearances are granted.

To a query concerning the stiff opposition to Tipaimukh Project by a large section of people, the Power Minister said that the matter should be settled by the Chief Minister in consultation with the people.

Yet, he hastened to add that he hailed from Mumbai and he had adopted drastic decisions for the welfare of the State and the city as a Chief Minister of the State.

At one point of time or other, people have to sacrifice certain things to reap multiple benefits in future, he noted.

Santosh Mohan Dev maintained that the Nagas too backed the Tipaimukh Project adding that he had memoranda to support his claim.

Even as one MP spoke loud against the Project, he (MP) said an altogether different thing while talking in person, disclosed the Heavy Industries Minister without naming.

He further informed that the security expenditure for the Tipaimukh Project would be done by the Home Department while rehabilitation would be done by the State Revenue Department.