Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 23 2009:
IFC Minister N Biren today went around to inspect the condition of the paddy fields in Thoubal and Imphal Barrages area which are reeling under a drought like situation following deficit rainfall this year.
The Minister was accompanied by the Additional Chief Engineer and other officials of the Department during the inspection of the left side canal of Thoubal Barrage which has been irrigating the field of the surrounding area.
The Minister was happy to see greenery on the paddy fields in areas like Leirongthel, Ngamukhong, Nongren, Salem Loukon and Yairipok located in the downstream of the left side canal.
On hearing the news of Minister's inspection tour, some farmers who were waiting at Yairipok complained that the benefit of the irrigation is being deprived to the paddy fields located on the right side of the canal.
The Minister explained that there is some technical problem in lifting the sluice of the right side canal.
Nonetheless, he assured that necessary measures would be taken up to ensure adequate irrigation facilities after lifting the sluice of the right side canal very soon.
The Ministerial team also went to Oinam Sawombung to inspect the condition of Imphal Barrage.
Commissioned in 1984, the command area of Imphal Barrage is 4000 hectares.
However, last year, the canal of the barrage could irrigate only around 900 hectares.
In this regard, the Minister informed that as the Government did not provide any fund for its maintenance, the canal could irrigate only around 900 hectares last year.
However, this time the Govt has earmarked necessary fund for maintenance and so efforts would be made to ensure coverage of 4000 hectares.
The Minister expressed confidence that the left and the right canal of the Barrage would ne able to irrigate all the paddy fields in Samurou, Oinam, Wangoi, Laiphrakpam, Mutum Phibou, Chirai, Choubung, Ngaklou Loukon, Turel Ahanbi, Atongkhong, Tharoipokpi, Kharampat and Chajing-Karam, etc.
During today's tour, the Minister had taken first hand account of the works being taken up for construction of retaining walls at vulnerable points of Imphal river under the partnership of Brahmaputra Board, NEC and SPA.
After inspecting the embankment of Imphal river from Lilong to Yaiskul, the Minister said construction of retaining walls at vulnerable points of Imphal river and Thoubal river for the first phase has been nearly completed and the remaining work would also be completed very soon.
Construction of retaining walls would be taken up in other vulnerable points in the phase II, the Minister added.