Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh as part of chairing review meetings of departments, chaired a joint review meeting for Water Resources and Minor Irrigation Departments at the Secretariat on Friday.
Making detailed presentations on the works, achievements and issues of the two departments, Secretary Jacintha Lazarus of Water Resources and Minor Irrigation proposed to construct dams/reservoirs for retention of water on Imphal River at Kangpokpi, Iril River at Yangnoi (near Saikul), Kongba River at Eshingthenbi in order to regulate water volume and check breaching of river banks and flash floods in the State during rainy season.
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The diversion of Chakpi River to Manipur River near Serou to check back flow of flood water of Chakpi River was also proposed, according to government sources.
After listening, Chief Minister Biren asked them to prepare a detailed project report to check flood in the state permanently which include construction of a tunnel under the molehill located between the two rivers and convention of another meeting with officials of National Hydro Power Corporation Ltd., Loktak Development Authority and Water Resources Department to jointly determine flood prevention measures at the earliest.
Interestingly on the long term, the development of water bodies, reservoirs, community ponds, de-siltation of Loktak Lake, Ikop Pat, Kharung Pat, Pumlen Pat, Irum Pat and Utra Part were also suggested to increase the volume of flood water absorbing capacity.
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On the other hand, as short term measures, scientific assessment of flood prone areas followed by vulnerability mapping, stabilising/ strengthening of river bund by raising and widening and river bund protection works like retaining walls and bored piling etc were also suggested.
Status reports of works/schemes taken up under the funding of North Eastern Council (NEC), Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF), Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), Special Development Fund (SDF) and Non-Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) etc. were also presented at the meeting.
Regarding Dolaithabi Barrage Project, it was a trial run for releasing canal water up to 7.54 km of common canal and left main canal was done on October 20, 2018. However, the gates of Dolaithabi project is now closed from October 22 to store water for regular irrigation to the fields for Rabi crops.
In the meantime, works on water transmission system and right main canal of Thoubal Multipurpose Project are in good progress and the contractors/agencies have been advised to complete all the works by March 2019.