NHPC replaces NEEPCO to build Manipur's Tipaimukh Dam

Obliging Manipur government's request, the Centre has appointed the state-owned National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) as the implementing agency for the 1500 MW multi-purpose Tipaimukh hydro-electric project in Manipur, official sources said here today.

Power giant North Eastern Electric Power Corporation (NEEPCO) had earlier been awarded the project in January 2003, but the construction work had failed to take off after delays in getting clearance from the forest department.

The project will now be a joint venture between NHPC (69 per cent), Shimla-based Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (26 per cent) and Manipur Government (5 per cent), the Centre said in a letter to the Shillong-based NEEPCO.

The sudden move by the Centre has taken NEEPCO by surprise as no reason have been assigned as to why they have been removed from the project.

While the Centre's decision is being attributed to the reported slow pace of work by NEEPCO, a spokesman of the power company blamed the Centre for not giving forest clearance resulting in the delay.

"We had obtained statutory clearances from the governments of Manipur, Assam and Mizoram. Even environmental clearance had also been given by the Centre," he said.

The cost of preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be reimbursed by NHPC to the private power major, while other modalities will soon be worked out in a meeting by the Joint Secretary (Hydro), sources said.

The 390 m long dam, said to be one of the largest in Eastern India, would be built up on the downstream of the confluence of the Tuivai and Barak Rivers in Churacchander district near the Manipur-Mizoram border.

Bangladesh had also raised concerns about the project alleging that the flow of water from Barak river to Bangladesh would be affected due to the project.

The cost of preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) would be reimbursed by NHPC to the private power major, while other modalities will soon be worked out in a meeting by the Joint Secretary (Hydro), sources said.

The 390 m long dam, said to be one of the largest in Eastern India, would be built up on the downstream of the confluence of the Tuivai and Barak Rivers in Churacchander district near the Manipur-Mizoram border.

Bangladesh had also raised concerns about the project alleging that the flow of water from Barak river to Bangladesh would be affected due to the project.