Ibobi warns encroachers at Singda Dam
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 18 2013: While inspecting the Singda Multipurpose Project and Imphal Barrage today, Chief Minister O Ibobi has warned all unauthorised encroachers presently occupying Singda Dam Project area to vacate the same area within the current month.

Imphal Barrage built across Imphal river at Oinam Sawombung was commissioned in 1984 .

The barrage was constructed with a view to supply raw water to water supply plants apart from providing irrigation facility to around 4000 hectares of agricultural fields in Lilong, Wangoi and Mayang Imphal Assembly segments.

The barrage has five gates but it remains non-operational since August 2010 after the rollers and wire loops of gate no 5 and gate no 1 broke down.

Ibobi during inspection tour

The two gates were repaired recently after the State Government sanctioned Rs two crores from the non-plan head.

It is expected that the barrage can supply adequate quantity of water for irrigating paddy fields during monsoon season.

For further renovation, extension and modernisation of the barrage, a proposal for central assistance amounting to Rs 16.80 crores has been sent to the Ministry of Water Resources.

The proposal has been already approved by the Technical Advisory Board.

On the other hand, Singda Multipurpose Project which was commissioned in 1995 is now facing a very difficult situation.

On account of rampant felling of trees within the project area including catchment areas coupled with encroachment from different directions, the 18 year old project is literally facing an existential crisis.

Although Singda Dam was expected to supply 32-36 million litres of potable water to RIMS and greater Imphal area every day, the dam just manages to supply around 18 million litres nowadays.

IFC officials maintained that the dam can maintain its present volume of water supply till July 15 .

By this time monsoon would arrive, and as such there is no need to worry for water, they claimed.

Even though, no major repairing has been done since the dam was commissioned, a proposal of Rs 35.40 crores has been submitted to the Ministry of Water Resources for extension, renovation and modernisation of the dam.

After inspecting the existing conditions of Imphal Barrage and Singda Multipurpose Project, the Chief Minister addressed a public meeting at Singda where he conceded that the State Government has been unable to maintain the 30 year Imphal Barrage and the 20 year Singda Dam properly because of sick financial condition of the State.

Compensation for land and standing properties were paid fully as Singda Multipurpose Project was taken up.

The Government cannot remain a silent spectator when the project area is being encroached upon, trees cut down, church and houses constructed without any respect for the law, Ibobi stated.

He asked all the encroachers to vacate the project area within the current month without waiting for eviction notice else they would be evicted according to law starting from the first week of May.

Moreover, a police outpost would be opened at Singda to guard Singda Dam.

Around two lakh tree saplings would be planted in the hills surrounding the dam within May, Ibobi stated.

Within the Singda Dam Project area, there are 10 houses and five shops.

Further noting that there 13 houses, one church and two shops on Ireng hill slope, the Chief Minister questioned as to why the department did not check and inform higher authorities about these encroachments.

The Chief Minister's entourage included by IFC Minister Ngamthang Haokip, Forest and Revenue Minister Th Debendra, PHE Minister I Hemochandra, Agriculture Minister Nashir and MLA O Lukhoi.