Activist wants state to have last word on decision to open Ithai Barrage sluice gates

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Oct 30

As the water level rises due to the incessant rain in the past 24 hours, the sluice gate number 4 at Itahi Barrage has been opened, but by 2.50 meters. The other four gates still are closed.

The water levels of the major rivers continue to rise. Major rivers namely Nambul, Imphal, Thoubal,Lillong and Irilbung are flowing dangerously above their flash marks. In the last few months, the state has also witnessed floods five time. Weather predictions though point that the rains will stop from Tuesday.

“The Ithai Dam should be reviewed and if necessary be decommissioned to save the Loktak lake and to prevent frequent floods in the valley,” environmental activist RK Ranjan said.

He stated that the sluice gates of the Ithai dam are not controlled by the state government. “Even if the water level rises, the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has to be requested for the Ithai dam sluice gates to be opened. The request needs to be okayed from their counterparts of the Project at Delhi, and then only the gates can be opened” the activist pointed.

He said it is ridiculous that despite the flood situation, the state cannot open the gates of the Ithai barrage without permission from higher authorities.

It may be mentioned that the chief minister, N Biren had stated that the Ithai dam needs to be reviewed and Works minister Th Bishwajit had also approached the Governor to brief the Central government of the demerits of the Ithai barrage and the need for a revision.

Fisher folks and of the Loktak Project affected families also appeal to the state government to review the Ithai barrage and to preserve the Loktak lake from which the families are earning a living.

According to an IFCD official, the main problem of the flooding in the valley area is the Ithai barrage and is closed sluice gates. The urban and rural areas of the valley get flooded if there is heavy rainfall for 48 hours.

It may be mentioned that the state has witnessed floods five consecutive times in 2017. The worst affected areas are valley districts inclusive of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Chandel.

The Ithai barrage project requires Loktak surface to be 768.9 metres above mean sea level throughout the year to produce profitable electricity. RK Ranjan stated that “we are now getting power from the national grid and not from the NHPC, the state authorities need to inquire how much power the Loktak Project is supplying to the state and the information needs to be made public.”

He added that the decision to open the sluice gates is not within the ambit of the state and urged that it should be made so. He stated that the agreement between the state government and the NHPC should be made public.

According to reliable sources, the contract with the state government and the NHPC is not available at present.