Deputy Chief Minister lays foundation stone for Leimatak bridge
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 31 2013: Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam today laid the foundation stone of a bailey bridge which would be constructed over Leimatak river to facilitate easy access to the Loktak Downstream Power Project site.

Estimated cost of the bailey bridge which would be constructed across Leimatak river between Thangal village and Toushang Khunou village within Nungba Assembly Constituency is Rs six crores.

The 200 feet long bridge would be constructed with funds from the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) and it is targeted for completion within six months.

Speaking as chief guest at the foundation stone laying ceremony, Gaikhangam stated that the Loktak Downstream Project could not be executed for the last 20 years because of certain problems which cropped up at a time when work on the project was about to be started.

When there was a non-Congress Government in the State, the then Chief Engineer of NHPC which would implement the project requested for security escorts citing threats from different quarters.

But the request fell in deaf ears and the Chief Engineer was shot dead.

Leimatak river over which the bridge will come up

Following the incident, other NHPC officials vacated their posts and went away and they submitted a report to the Centre which did no make any good impression of the State.

Despite this setback, the Government of India, at the insistence of Chief Minister O Ibobi upon the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and the Union Power Minister, finally agreed to revise the power project.

The power project which is craved for by not only the local people but also all the people of Manipur can now be realised, asserted the Deputy Chief Minister.

Forest and environmental clearance for the project has been already obtained.

As against the earlier demand of Rs 68 crores in the form of compensation, the same demand has been reduced to a considerable amount after an understanding was reached with the affected people.

Now construction of roads and bridges which would provide easy access to the project site has been initiated, Gaikhangam stated.

He also appealed to all concerned people not to harbour any intention to demand compensation if they are not entitled to the same.

Local people need to see and treat the project as their own and accordingly protect it from anti-social elements.

Gaikhangam also assured that the State Government would provide adequate strength of security forces required for implementing the project.

There is a plan to construct a road from Bishnupur to Rengpang under a package of the Prime Minister.

Plans are also afoot to take up a power project of capacity 60 MW at Irang, Gaikhangam stated.

Works Minister Dr Kh Ratankumar observed that Loktak Downstream Project would be a source of much relief as and when it is commission in view of the acute power shortage being faced by the State.

He stated that due instructions have been issued to relevant officials to give due attention to the qualitative aspect regarding construction of road from Tupul to Leimatak.

For the Leimatak bridge, almost 70 per cent of the construction parts have been procured.

The foundation stone laying ceremony was also attended by Chief Secretary DS Poonia, Power Commissioner Rajesh Agarwal and PWD Chief Engineer M Lokendro.