Water from Thoubal project to Imphal in 2010-11: Biren
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, January 30 2010: Construction of tunnels to carry water from Thoubal multi-purpose project for supply of water to Imphal east district and greater Imphal will to taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 600 crore, state Irrigation and Flood Control minister, N Biren said today.

The tunnels are to be made for laying water pipe of six meter diameter through the hills for carrying water from the Thoubal project for onward supply to areas in Imphal East district and greater Imphal area, the minister said while speaking at the inaugural function of the Ibuthou Marjing Temple at Ahallup Makha Leikai in Imphal East district.

The minister warned that in another 10 year time the state will witness severe water crisis and people will killed each other for the sake of water at that time if aforestation works is not be taken up seriously.

IFCD Minister Biren inaugurating the Ibudhou Marjing Temple

There is the need for conservation and aforestation at the catchment areas of the rivers, the minister said, if we care for the future generations.

The government on its part, is doing what it can solve to solve the water shortage problems in Imphal east and greater Imphal areas by making tunnels to carry water from Thoubal project.

Elaborating on the project, the minister said that first it was decided to lay pipes of four meter diameter by making tunnels in the hills from the project site upto Imphal east district to be taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 4.50 crore.

But considering for future, the project has been revised.

As per the revised project, pipes of six diameters will be laid and the estimated cost also has been revised at Rs 600 crore.

Among the tunnels are included two and half Kms long, he said.

The implementation of the project will begin from the financial year 2010-11.Centre has also given its go ahead to the project.

Once the project is completed the water shortage problem in Imphal area will get some relief, the minister said.

Further Biren said, the power problem will also be solved by 2011 as state government is taking up steps to upgrade the transmission.

Due to weak power transmission line even though Manipur gets its power share of 260 MW, the same quantity could be imported.

The capacity of current transmission line is only 80 megawatt.

He also observed that due to the downsizing in the council of Minister to 12 for the state of Manipur, all ministers are busy in discharging their duties.

Ministers are also engaging in touring the remote hill areas of the state with the objective of strengthening the brotherhood love between the people hills and valley areas.

He also claimed that SPF government is able to take up various developmental works as result of election of good leaders as their representatives by the people and asked the people to keep this in mind in future too.

The temple of Ibudou Marjing inaugurated today by the minister was constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2.10 crore.

Social worker I Nimai graced the function as guest of honour while member of the Laipham Khunou Zilla Parishad, I Nandakumar presided.