Env nod given to Tipaimukh project: PM

Prime Minister Manmohon Singh today said that environmental clearance had been given to the proposed Tipaimukh dam project on the River Barak in Manipur to be funded by the World Bank.

Addressing a public meeting here, the Prime Minister said that the forest clearance process for the project was underway.

He urged the concerned central ministries to actively pursue the funding with the World Bank.

The 1500 mw joint venture Tipaimukh Hydro Electricity Project is proposed to be constructed on the trijunction of Manipur, Mizoram and Assam over the Barak river which originates in Manipur's Senapati district.

''In the power section, I have been informed that the 1500 MW Tipaimukh Hydro Electricity Project will be executed by a joint venture company of National Hydroelectric Power Corporation and the government of Manipur,'' he said.

''I understand that a project for expansion and upgradation of power transmission, sub transmission and distribution networks in the north eastern states has been posed to the World Bank for funding. I am asking the concerned central government ministries to pursue the matter actively with the World Bank,'' the Prime Minister said.

Earlier, media reports had said that Bangladesh government had reservations on the project as they had said it would affect their water management.