Minister envisions breach-free monsoon
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 04 2010: Irrigation and Flood Control Minister N Biren has confided that river banks of all the major rivers would be repaired and strengthened to prevent inundation during the monsoon season.

Conceding that certain portion of major rivers that flow through the twin capital districts are susceptible of being breached owing to turbulent flow of water during the rainy season, the Minister told The Sangai Express that vulnerable section of embankments would be repaired ahead of the coming monsoon.

Reminding that river bank strengthening works in the valley areas had already been taken up, Biren said as soon as fund of the special Plan Assistance is released vulnerable sections would be assessed for solid fortification.

citing procedural delay in the release of SPA allocation for the IFC Department's inability to accelerate flood control measures, he affirmed that department officials would be consulted for minute inspection of all the river banks after which a plan would be work-out to effectively check flooding caused by breach of river banks.

The village of Phalee (Phadang) in Ukhrul district faced the fury of the recent pre-monsoon rain as a chunk of its paddy fields has been ravaged. Landslide at neighbouring village of Ngainga that totally blocked the river has diverted the water towards the paddy fields in Phalee causing damage to large parts of them that belong to 50 house-hold; Villagers, in a last ditch effort to salvage some of their cultivation are struggling to restore the damaged river embankment

Priority for the river bank strengthening work would be on Imphal, thoubal and Iril rivers, he added.

Regarding the ongoing Nambul river development project, the Minister asserted that there would be no laxity in completing the project completion of which would not only give a face-lift to Imphal city but also prevent the river bed from being converted into a waste dumping site.

Expecting the project to be completed by May month, he exuded confidence that once completed the perennial problem of inundating low lying areas of Imphal from overflowing river water could be addressed.

Informing that as a part of the project plans are afoot to construct a sluice-gate at Pishumthong section of Nambul river, the Minister said the structure will not only regulate flow of water but would also hold-up water during lean season for both usage and sprucing up the river.

Hastening to add that there is no allocation for the sluice gate construction, Biren nevertheless informed that the project would be pursued in consultation with authorities concerned.

Further informing that the ongoing Naga Nullah (river) project would be completed at the earliest possible time, he said from Babuthong section upto the Nambul river point a green-house like net/grill structure would be built to check dumping of waste materials into the river.

From Babuthong upto Khoyathong point, the entire river-width would be covered with slab to utilise the section as parking space, the Minister informed.

Airing Government's determination to keep the Nambul river and Naga nullah meeting point at the historic hump bridge neat and clean, he pointed out that a green-house like structure could effectively check the tri-junction from becoming a waste dumping site.

Biren also expressed confidence that once the Nambul river and Naga Nullah projects are completed waste materials being dumped to Loktak lake from these water sources could be reduced to a significant level in addition to contributing to beautification of Imphal city.

Acknowledging that expecting the twin project to check waste materials from flowing into Loktak Lake would be far-fetched, he said the Government is envisaging another project to drop a grill-like structure at North AOC section of Naga nullah to check passage of solid waste.

The waste materials would then be picked up and deposited at designated dumping sites, he added.

Recounting his personal initiative to develop a water-body park in Lamphelpat when he was the Forest and Environment Minister, Biren said the project is still being pursued by his ministerial colleague.

Inspite of allocation of land at Lamphelpat areas for construction of NIT and police housing complexes, there is still enough space for a sprawling park, he affirmed.

Reminding that when Manipur was a kingdom, the rulers preserved Lamphelpat as a large water body to overcome drought-like situation, Biren stressed on the need for promoting the park project to maintain ecological balance.