Thoubal Multi-purpose project to begin operation by 2015?
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 05, 2013: After assessing progress of work of the Thoubal Multi-purpose project built over Thoubal river in Maphou Kuki village, Irrigation and Flood Control (IFC) Minister Ngamthang Haokip today exuded confidence that the said project would begin operation in the early part of 2015. Apart from inspecting the project's work progress and commenting that the work is underway on a war footing to meet the tentative deadline, the Minister also inaugurated the Pu Lenghao Memorial Playground newly developed as a component of the project's rehabilitation package at Maphou village.

Minister Ngamthang's visit was also accompanied by Saikul assembly constituency MLA Yamthong Haokip, IFCD Chief Engineer (Thoubal circle-II) G Robindro, Senapati district's CMO and other officials of related departments.

On completion the project, launched in 1980, envisions to provide 10 million gallons of drinking water to Imphal residents along with enhancing irrigation network to cover 21,862 hectares cultivation sites and generate 7.5 megawatt electricity.

According to project officials the Thoubal Multi-purpose Project, also known as Maphou Dam, is 80 percent complete with only the sluice gates of the spillways to be put in place.

It is said that development of three sluice gates for the spillways assigned to a Kolkata firm has been completed with some of the parts already brought to the project site.

The officials, however, confided that some portion of earth dam construction to block the river water and laying of pipes by drilling the Chingkhei Ching (hill range) are yet to begin.

Regarding the rehabilitation package, 90 percent of development has been achieved with the only remaining task said to be relocation of a handful of villages likely to be submerged once the earth dam is constructed.

Dedicating the Pu Lenghao memorial playground to the public, Minister Ngamthang conveyed appreciation to Maphou villagers for their cooperation in making the project a successful venture.

seeking further assistance from the villagers so that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi's agenda to complete the project by 2015 materialises, he expressed elation that there are no more obstacles in expeditiously implementing the project.

With requisite fund and construction materials for the project in adequate stock the work could be further accelerated once the rainy season is over, said the Minister who also conveyed to the locals to heartily welcome Central teams and officials on their inspection visits in the future.

Later in the day, Saikul AC MLA Yamthong Haokip inaugurated a PHSC building at Maphou village.

Inspite of welcoming the PHSC building inauguration, locals highlighted that absence of basic infrastructure including power and clean water would provide hardly any relief to the villagers.

Moreover, non-availability of staff quarters will not benefit the villagers from having the health centre at the village as one doctor and 10 support staff deputed at the PHSC are certain to skip duty in a frequent manner, complained the villagers.

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