Dolaithabi Barrage Project is a threat to thousands of Saikul denizen
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, December 01 2018: Dolaithabi Barrage Project built at an extimated cost of Rs 508.48 crore at Dolaithabi village in the adj oining area of Kangpokpi District, erstwhile Senapati and Imphal East District over Iril River called 'Zildung' has become athreatto thousands of innocentresidents of Saikul area.

People of Saikul area especially residents of nearby Zildung and even the local denizens of Saikul Hill Town including various educational institutions within Saikul Hill Town have been reeling under fear and hardships due to the closure and released of Dolaithabi Barrage Project shutters on trial basis.

When the shutters of Dolaithabi Barrage Project are closed, the water level in Zildung swelled up enormously and inundated vast areas of land while the swelling of the water level in Zildung has impacted till Molkon village located 15/16 Km away from the barrage site.

Naturally, Zildung is a proud vast river with its depth immeasurable at some point.

Dolaithabi Barrage Project is a threat to thousands of Saikul denizen

When such enormously swelling river due to the closure of the dam shutters has been released, it made the soil loose and the water could easily carry away vast area of land.

Currently, the Dolaithabi barrage Project shutters are down and Zildung has been swelling high again.

Concerning the unrest situation in Saikul area over the frequent closure and released of Dolaithabi Barrage Project shutters, CSOs Saikul under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai has made an inspection tour yesterday from Gangpijang to Molkon.

Speaking to media persons, Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai President, Seimang Lupho said that the trial at Dolaithabi Barrage Project since the past few months has created extremely unrest situation in Saikul area rendering especially the residents of nearby and adjacent to Zildung in a panic situation.

He also said that Ekou - Phaijang Bailey Bridge was already damaged owing to the trial at Dolaithabi Barrage Project as the water inundated the entire base of the Bailey, the land got loose and when the water was released, it carried away the soil at the base of the bailey bridge rendering the only connectivity in a dilapidated condition.

He continued that it (trial at Dolaithabi Barrage Project) also caused damaged to the only bridge connecting Saikul Hill Town located between Saikul and Thangkanphai at the base and it is on the verse of collapse while heavy vehicles are restricted since the past few months.

He further said that 4 (four) educational institutions - Diamond Sower Academy, LL Henjou Engling High School, Christian English High School and Awana Academy, a Kids Care Centre at Saikul Hill Town were badly affected due to the trial while adding that hundreds of school going children are facing tremendous hardships to attend their school as the children cannot cross Zildung anymore as they normally do in winter season.

The Kuki Inpi President also highlighted the apprehension of the people that if the water level has swelled up further after fully functioning of the Project, it will inundate vast areas of land including paddy fields, residential areas, etc.

mostly in the area nearby the river till Molkon village and it is likely to affect at least 50 to 60 villages located nearby Zildung along the 15/16 Km stretch from the project site.

"During winter season, Zildung, despite of its vastness and depth, the water level in the river is usually low and even two vehicles could pass through at some point but now during such season if the water level is in this condition imagine what could happen during monsoon", he said.

Considering all these grievances, hardships and apprehension of the innocent people of Saikul, all CSOs of Saikul including KWU and KSO under the aegis of Kuki Inpi Saikul Gamkai urged the State Government to address the grievances of the people before the official inauguration of the Dolaithabi Barrage Project in the larger interest of Saikul people.