Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 07 2009:
Amidst the objections from various circles, officials of NEEPCO will be holding a meeting with the Mizoram Government on June 10 for obtaining forest clearance tag from that state which is still pending even though there has been reports doing the round that there is the possibility of intervention of the Bangladesh Government in the construction of Tipaimukh Multipurpose Hydel Project.
Mention may be made that hinting interference to the construction of the dam at Tipaimukh for the project, Bangladesh Govt has announced sending of an allparty parliamentary committee to visit the dam site, according to media reports.
Bangladesh experts are worried of hitting the flow of the Surma and Kushiara rivers originating from Indian side by the dam located barely 1 km from Bangladesh's Zakiganj border.
The project would leave the river and other down-streams dry, upsetting the ecological balance and affecting many people, experts observed.
The proposed step of the Bangladesh Govt was taken up amidst the strong objection to the construction of dam at Tipaimukh area of Manipur on the Barak river by various NGOs and civil organizations.
On the other hand, despite the odd ahead of it, forest clearance for the Tipaimukh project was accorded by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forest as recommended by the Manipur Government, North Eastern Electric Power Corporation NEEPCO officials are pursuing the forest clearance with the Government of Mizoram.
The authority is hopeful of obtaining the Mizoram Forest Departments recommendation by June 30, 2009 as NEEPCO officials will be holding a meeting with Mizoram government on June 10, official source here said Saturday.
It is also pertinent to mention here that with the receipt of the environmental clearance for taking the project in October last year, 2008, the project cost has further been updated at September 2008 price level.
The updated cost (excluding the components for flood moderation, external security and diversion of national highway, but including internal security and NPV), works out to Rs 8138.79 crores including IDC of Rs 1570.73 crores.
The first year tariff and levelised tariff works out to Rs 4.65 and Rs.4.03 per unit respectively.
With the effort of the Manipur Govt's approval for meeting the cost component of flood moderation has been obtained from the ministry of Water Resources for meeting.
The update estimate is Rs 542.16 crores.