Two new hydro power projects in Manipur

Imphal, Dec 16(UNI) The foundation stone for two new hydro projects was laid today by Union Minister of Power Sushil Kumar Shinde and Minister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Santosh Mohan Dev.

The projects for which foundation stones were laid-- were the Loktak downstream project at Thangal and Tipaimukh hydroelectric project at Churachandpur.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Manipur had promised the two projects to the people of Manipur.

The Union ministers after their arrival here this morning first laid the foundation stone of the Loktak downstream. Officials said the project will generate about 66 MW of electricity with two units of 33 MW each. It will be constructed by National Hydro Power corporation and Manipur government.

The project will generate about 330 MUs of energy with ninety per cent efficiency in a year.

The other project was the Tipaimukh project estimated to produce 1500 MW of power with six units of 250 MW each to be taken up by North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Ltd (NEEPCO). It is taken up at the confluence of Tipaimukh and Tuivah rivers and the project with a huge reservoir, will provide substantial flood protection to the Barak valley and also sustained socio economic development in the area. It will produce 3805 MUs of energy annually.

However, protests marked the day throughout the state amidst burning of effigies of the two Union Ministers and the Manipur Chief Minister and state wide bandh to protest the projects against environmental hazards.

The Action Committee Against Tipaimukh dam had protested the construction. Due to bandh all educational institutes and business establishments remained closed. All inter state bus services were also cancelled. The 24 hour bandh will conclude at 1800 hrs today.

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