ADB survey to decide fate of Loktak project
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 24 2023: Chief minister N Biren Singh has informed that de-commissioning or continuation of the Loktak project will be based on the report of the 10-day survey conducted at Loktak lake by experts including from abroad.

The survey was conducted in connection with development of the lake with funding from Asian Development Bank (ADB) and report of the expert committee is awaited, CM Biren informed the assembly during discussion on demands for grants of power department on Friday.

When the demands was moved in the House for consideration, Opposition members K Ranjit Singh, Th Lokeshwar Singh and Surjakumar Okram raised several points particularly on government's inability to produce MoU signed earlier on Loktak hydro-electric project till date, non-completion of Loktak downstream project, improper installation of high mast light, depriving BPL families from getting power connection and non-declaration of results of job recruitment for MSPCL and MSPDCL.

Though power minister Th Biswajit gave relevant replies to the points raised by Opposition members, MLA K Ranjit demanded a clear-cut answer from chief minister N Biren Singh, who is leader of the House, regarding Loktak hydro-electric project.

In his reply, CM Biren said government is planning to take up various projects with Asian Development Bank funding to save Loktak lake and preserve its natural habitat.

As a first step in this endeavour, foreign experts including from the USA conducted a survey for 10 days at Loktak lake to find out ways to develop and preserve the lake.

The survey conducted with maximum funding from ADB and partially by the state government also included inspection to ascertain whether continuance of Loktak project in the present condition is right or wrong.

Accordingly, de-com-missioning or continuance of Loktak project will be based on the report of the survey and the government will take up steps as per the report, Biren elaborated and maintained that projects to be taken up with ADB funding will be based on likely conditions of the lake in future and economic opportunity for the people of the state.

Responding to the policy cut motions raised, power minister Th Biswajit clarified that there are two companies applying for two solar power plants that the state government had approved for construction.

One investor came forward for the solar power plants but declined to invest on technical issues, he said, adding that the state receives very less radiation rate of the Sun and gets very less sunlight time.

He also informed the House that a total of 2,21,546 BPL families were given free power connection and high mast light and LED street lights have been installed at 74 spots across the state.

Regarding the Lokak downstream project, Th Biswajit said that the state government plans to take up the project and even a cabinet decision had already been taken up in the past.

Even if the project is taken up together with NHPC, there is speculation that the project would be cost-effective after five years though the present power cost of Rs 5.43 per unit is considered high, he said.

He further informed the House that government is trying to declare results of recruitment exams for MSPCL and MSPDCL.

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