Pro-dam lobby hails Tipaimukh MoU

Imphal, January 27: The Village Chief Association of Nungba has expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the SPF Ministry for signing the MoU for early construction of Tipaimukh dam and stated that it has been the long cherished dream of the people of Manipur particularly the people of Tipaimukh and Nungba, where the dam is to be constructed. The people of these most backward and neglected areas will have a chance to see the light of development and modern civilization with the construction of the Tipaimukh dam, Nungba Sub-Division Village Council, chairman KP Meirijin and secretary Tingkaolung asserted in a joint press statement. The statement said that the idea of construction of Tipaimukh dam was conceived almost twenty years ago by the leaders who had a vision for a prosperous future of Manipur. Giving an account of the various exigency of the dam, the statement said that initially doubt was expressed from various quarters on the benefits of the dam. But after a thorough debate on its merits and demerits, the Government of Manipur had given its nod to begin the work on construction of the dam, they said. They further asserted that the damage to be caused by the construction of Tipaimukh is meager as compared to the huge benefits to be obtained from it. No major damage to flora and fauna is expected as the lands to be submerged are mostly wasteland, deep gorge, etc. But on the contrary, the dam will bring about socio-economic development of the State. Apart from generating electricity, it will supply drinking water, provide irrigation to vast area of cultivable land and control perennial floods. Moreover, the State will get 12 pc of the 1500 MW of electricity as royalty which would solve the problem of power shortage and frequent load shedding, the statement said. It alleged that some vested interest are trying to sabotage the construction of the dam as they are not aware of the ground reality and advised the general public not to be misled by such ?unscrupulous persons who are enemies of the people.? While extending unqualified support and co-operation towards the successful and timely construction of the dam, the joint statement also called upon the authorities concerned to expedite the work in the interest of the people and the development of the State as a whole.