Lack of data puts a spanner in proposed hydel power projects

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jun 20 : The hydel power projects proposed to be taken up over  Maklang river and Taretlok rivers within Kamjong district are likely to be delayed by another 3 years as the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited which is overlooking the project has failed to assess the 'rainfall and hydrological data' of the region/catchment area for the past three years.
It may be noted that an official team of NHPC (Loktak Downstream Power Company) led by its Chief Executive Officer, Satya Narayan along with Hill Area Commitee's Chairman and MLA of Phungyar Assembly Constituency, K Leishiyo and district administration inspected the proposed sites of hydel power projects on April 22 this year.
After inspection NHPC has to draft a 'Feasibility Report' for construction of the projects and submit it to expert engineers for further action. However the preparation of the feasibility report was greatly hindered with unavailability of the rainfall and hydrological data for the past three years, The Sangai Express has learnt.
In the absence of the important data, the hydel power projects which also aim at providing drinking water and water for irrigation purposes in the nearby areas, are likely to be delayed by another three years.
Mention may be made that there are many such rivers over which power projects can be undertaken in the State and help reduce the dependency on other States for power.
Talking to The Sangai Express via telephone in this regard, MLA K Leishiyo maintained that the said data were unavailable in Manipur. He also asserted that all possible efforts are being made to get hold of the data and even communications are underway with the Central Water Commission and Meteorological Department.
Rainfall data and hydrological data for rivers falling within valley districts are available but unfortunately data for rivers within hill districts are unavailable, he said. The Myanmar Government has been approached to ascertain if there are any relevant data but they too do not collect any such data, he said.
All the rivers flowing in the State including those within hill districts are freshwater rivers, he said while expressing regret that these rivers had to take their  courses down to Myanmar and Assam unexploited of its potentials while the State has to face scarcity of potable water.
Had the reports been available, the proposals for these projects could have been initiated this year itself, he said while adding that the department concerned has been advised to collect all necessary data so that the projects could be taken up after three years.