Organisation expresses concern on construction of hydro project over Leimatak river
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 15 2017: The Citizens Concern For Dam and Development (CCDD), Imphal has expressed serious concern with the pursuance of the Chairman and Managing Director of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), in his meeting with CM yesterday, regarding the commencement of construction of 66 MW Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Project over Leimatak river .

A press release issued by CCDD stated that NHPC’s pursuance of an early commencement of the project using the discharge waters from Loktak project is a complete disregard of the longstanding call of the indigenous people of Manipur to decommission Ithai Barrage of the 105 MW Loktak multipurpose Hydroelectric Project.

Considering the wide impacts of Loktak project, the Governor and the Chief Minister had earlier called for decommission of Ithai Barrage, it stated .

It further pointed out that the Ithai barrage inflicted immense damage on the livelihood of the indigenous communities residing in and around Loktak wetlands .

Villages residing close to Ithai Barrage, including Laphupat, Tera, Khordak, Nongmaikhong, Arong, Ithai Wakokpi, Kumbi, Thanga have raised complaints of repeated flooding and widespread loss of their properties due to the impoundment of Ithai Barrage .

“It is highly unfortunate that instead of listening to the woes and the legitimate concerns of the community severely affected and challenged by Loktak Project, the NHPC insisted on the construction of another dam, which will only worsen and prolong the suffering inflicted by Ithai Barrage of the proposed Loktak Downstream project” .

CCDD asserted that the NHPC continues to reap maximum profit while destroying communities’ livelihood and devastating Loktak wetlands, meanwhile the company remains irresponsible for submergence of 83,000 hectares of agricultural land and the damages unleashed by Ithai Barrage .

CCDD urged the NHPC, the State Government and the Central Government to decommission Ithai Barrage as demanded by the people and as recommended by Governor and the Chief Minister.

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