Lamphelpat project likely to complete by Nov
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, May 09 2025: The Lamphelpat Water Body Rejuvenation Project in Imphal is emerging a*s one of the state's most ambitious urban development efforts, aimed at tackling recurring urban flooding, improving water security, and promoting eco-tourism in the state capital.

With a budget of Rs 650 crore, the five-year project spans over 300 acres and is being implemented by the Water Resources Department (WRD) .

As per project details uploaded by the New Development Rank (NDB), which is funding the project with a loan of USD 70.27 million, Lamphelpat, which lies on the western edge of Imphal, has long suffered from annual flooding due to diminished water detention capacity.

The state government, which is contributing an additional Rs 130 crore, intends to restore the water body to address the flood crisis while enhancing its ecological and economic value.

The project will store 124 million cubic metres of water, which officials say will be sufficient to supply potable water to over 4 lakh residents through the Public Health Engineering Department.

Alongside water storage and flood mitigation, the project includes restoration of storm-water drainage systems, construction of green spaces, a biodiversity zone, an arc bridge, and tourism facilities.

A real-time flood management command centre will also be set up, significantly boosting Imphal's disaster preparedness and environmental resilience.

In a recent video report by ANI, project manager Saimul Islam said that dredging works have already covered approximately 162 of the targeted 245 acres of lake area.

"It was a wetland also, and now we are using our CSD catastrophic measures to dig up to 9 metres.

You can see the water is coming," Islam said, expressing optimism about completing the work by October or November this year.

He also highlighted the recreational aspect of the initiative, stating that 140 acres have been earmarked for a state-of-the-art recreation centre, which will be connected via a proposed cable car to the Imphal View Tower at Cheirao Ching.

WRD superintending engineer Irom Royal noted that the project is not just about flood control but revitalisation.

"The goals of this project are to enhance storage capacity and to elevate the essential potential of the water body," he said, adding that about 60 per cent of dredging work has been completed.

He emphasised that ecotourism was a key component, given the area's rich biodiversity and natural appeal.

Lamphelpat area has faced regular inundation during the monsoon due to the reduced capacity of the wetland to detain floodwaters.

These floods have resulted in significant loss of property, health hazards, and negative impacts on local biodiversity.

Current measures such as emergency pumping have proven insufficient, according to NDB's project brief.

By increasing Lamphelpat's water detention capacity and restoring the drainage system, the project seeks to provide long-term solutions to these recurring problems.

NDB also noted the project's alignment with international sustainable development goals, particularly SDG 13 on Climate Action, SDG 11 for Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation.

It has been classified as Category B under the bank's environmental and social framework, requiring careful management of impacts related to dredging, resettlement, disposal of dredged materials, and worker safety.

Locals have welcomed the initiative with cautious optimism.

"Restoration of a lake here will enhance tourism and will also develop the ecosystem of the area.

I guess it is a good step by the government," said Indrakumar Salam, a resident of Imphal, in a statement recorded by ANI.

Another local, Aurora Jayant Chongtham, described the visual transformation as inspiring.

"I feel amazing because it encourages tourism in our Imphal area.

We can see the water that has been dried up for a few years, which is being rejuvenated", she said.

"That is also the reason why people are being encouraged to tour more in our Imphal area" .

Once completed, the Lamphelpat project is expected to play a pivotal role in shielding Imphal from annual flooding disasters, ensuring water supply security, and offering a scenic and ecologically rich recreational space for both residents and tourists.

Authorities believe the integrated approach of combining flood management, water resource development, and eco-tourism will set a new benchmark for urban sustainability in the Northeast.

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