Action plan for speedy implementation of Tipaimukh project made

The Imphal Free Press

Imphal, June 17: Though there has been strong opposition from various sections of society over the Tipaimukh Dam Project, state government with the Environment Clearance from the concerned ministry formulated Special Propose Vehicle, SPV, for the implementation of the project.

The State high power meeting has recently chalked out the action plan for the speedy implementations of 1500 MW Tipaimukh project in the state following the environment clearance by the Ministry of Forest and Environment as recommended by the State Forest Department through Regional Chief Conservator of Forest, RCCF, Shillong.

In the meantime, minutes of meeting chaired by the state chief secretary, Rakesh held during last month have reviewed the progress of implementation of the Tipaimukh project and decisions which include the state power department to formally convey its decision to the proposed Special Propose Vehicle SPV on Tipaimukh project and the quantum of equity participation, to assist NEEPCO for obtaining allotment orders for land acquisition in Lamphelpat areas for NEEPCO Imphal office and to cooperate with NEEPCO for timely construction of the 400 KV transmission lines for evacuation of power and set up 400/132 KV sub-station at Imphal.

According to a highly placed official source, the recent state high level meeting has also advised the state Planning department to constitute a Committee for monitoring and assisting land aquisition for the project and State Home department to follow up with Ministry of Home Affairs MHA, regarding arrangements for providing external security to the Tipaimukh project based on the reports submitted by IGP (LO-II) who inspected the project site last year and state Home department is also advised to request the MHA for setting up a helipad and introduce helicopter service to Tipaimukh.

The official source further added that the meeting also advised the official present from the state Electricity department to prepare a brief for Chief secretary, Manipur for partcipation in the Union Power Secretary’s meeting which was scheduled in first part of this month regarding setting up of SPV, decision regarding partner to be obtained in time and meeting instructed the NEEPCO to obtain Mizoram government’s recommendation for forest clearance to MoEF within this month.

Regarding the formation of the Special Propose Vehicle, SPV, for the implementation of Tipaimukh project, the official source quoted that state chief minister has already written an official letter to the Union Power minister proposing to take up the project under a Special Propose Vehicle, SPV, with respective partners like, NHPC, NTPC, SJVNL along with NEEPCO and state government. As resolved in the Union Power secretary meeting held during November last year, NEEPCO has circulated the project details to all the above prospective stakeholders for their views/comments with intimation to joint secretary (Hydro), MoP. NTPC has declined to participate, NHPC was willing to join the SPV provided 51 percent stake in equity is given, Executive Director NEEPCO has requested state government for early finalisation of its decision to take 5 percent equity stake in the proposed SPV as Ministry of Power has convened during this month to consider SPV with 51 percent participation by SJVNL, 44 percent by NEEPCO and 5 percent by the state government.

The official source further said after receipt of Environment Clearance from the MoEF, the project cost of Tipaimukh project has further been updated September last year. The updated cost (excluding the components for flood moderation, external security and Diversion of National Highway, but including internal security and NPV), works out to Rs. 8138.79 crores including IDC of Rs. 1570.73 crores. The first year tariff and levelised tariff works out to Rs. 4.65 crores and Rs. 4.30 per unit respectively.

The official source further mentioned that International Competitive Bidding for Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) for major items like Dam, Electro-Mechanical parts floated on November 30, 2005 are now scheduled to be opened in last part this month in order to have a formal execution of construction works at the project site. The BRO has submitted Detail Project Reports for realignment of NH-53 and Manipur portion of NH-150. However, Govt. of Mizoram is insisting that the work relating to realignment for NH-150 in Mizoram be entrusted to Mizoram PWD. But both want that the entire work relating to re-alignment of NH-53 and NH-150, both in Manipur and Mizoram be taken up by BRO, and NEEPCO is following up the matter with government of Mizoram including obtaining of Environment Clearance from the Mizoram government, the source added.

The official source recalled that in the Cabinet Secretary meeting held during December last year to review the progress of the Tipaimukh project, the Ministry of Water Resources have conveyed approval for meeting the cost component of flood moderation, the updated estimate is Rs. 542.16 crores and Ministtry of Shipping Road Transport and Highway has conveyed its in principle approval to meet the cost of diversion of NH-53 and updated cost is Rs. 202.63 crores and Ministry of Home Affairs too has also conveyed its in-principle approval for meeting the cost of providing external security to the project, and updated estimated cost being Rs. 299.17 crore, the source added.

Source: http://www.kanglaonline.com/index.php?template=headline&newsid=47419&typeid=1