Imphal, July 18 : There is no question of any major breakdown at the Khuga dam in Churachandpur and the government is considering official inauguration of the Khuga Multi-purpose Project by December this year.
This was mentioned by chief minister O Ibobi Singh in a supplementary answer made in the House this morning in addition to the reply of state IFCD minister N Biren, during a calling attention motion jointly moved by senior opposition MLA, O Joy Singh and MLA, T Hankhanpao on the collapse of an earthen embankment of the Khuga canal at T Daijang village.
The chief minister further mentioned that the state government is promoting the Khuga Multi-purpose Project as one of the state’s prestigious projects and operational activities for the construction had been activated with the establishment of the SPF government way back in the year 2000.
He further said that the small complaints over the leakages and breaching of the irrigation canal of the dam are operational problems which can be repaired. The officials of the concerned department have been giving full attention to the trial operation of irrigation through the canal and the breaching of the embankment had occurred due to prolonged exposure, he maintained.
The chief minister also mentioned that the SPF government overcame many problems in the speedy construction of the Khuga Multi-purpose Project, officially started in 1983 by the then government in the state which had given priority to the construction of the canal portion only.
He said with the installation of the SPF government during 2000, the priority work of construction of the main earthen dam, spillway and power component of the project had been taken up. On completion of the earthen dam and spillway portions of the project the department addressed the problem of water scarcity and started the irrigation component of the project on trial basis. The leakages and breaches on the canal portion of the earthen dam was due to lack of maintenance, and the problem would be solved in near future as the department’s officials are aware of the problem, he added.
In the meantime, state IFCD minister N Biren gave an assurance to the House that there is no need for apprehension on the dam breaking down in its final stages of completion, and the earthen embankment of the canals are not a source of worry.
The IFCD minister further said the earthen canal of the project was not constructed under the tenure of the SPF government. He maintained that in view of the irregular maintenance of the canals officials and engineers of the state IFCD had been assigned to look for any malfunctions during the trial run of the irrigation components of the dam since last year.
In the meantime, while raising the calling attention senior opposition MLA, O Joy and local MLA, T Hankhanpao pointed out the apprehension felt by the public following the breaching of the earthen embankment of the irrigation canal and questioned if the same would not happen to the main earthen dam.
Both the MLAs also drew the attention of the state government and concerned ministers towards taking of necessary steps for preventing any irregularities in the various components of the project as the local people have high expectations from the dam and its resources.
M Kaimuanthang adds from Churachandpur: The Khuga Dam Contractors Association has yet again threatened the government to launch an agitation within the next few days if the government fails to pay up all pending liabilities pertaining to works executed in the Khuga head works and other components by the authorised or unauthorised contractors.
The president of the association, Hauthang while disclosing this plan has reiterated to the IFP that if "we are not given funds by this month we will resort to any form of agitation."
According to sources, a high power meeting held earlier in the presence of the chief minister O Ibobi Singh, IFCD minister N Biren, power minister Phungzathang Tonsing, works minister K Ranjit and MPCC president Gaikhangam apart from others gave an assurance to pay up the pending liabilities to the contractors.
At another meeting with the IFCD minister, it was promised to the contractors that their dues would be paid at the earliest. However, the promise has not been kept with till date, said the president.
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