Myanmar is building Tuidimjang dam on on the Twigem river flowing into Myanmar from Manipur. This dam is being built by Myanmar authorities barely 100 metres from the zero line separating the India and Myanmar. It can cause submergence as well water scarcity among border villagers in Kengjoi subdivison of Manipur’s Chandel district. One of the villages under fear is Khangtung, which is inhabited by the Thadou tribe. The village is 137 km south of Manipur capital Imphal.
- What the International laws say: International rules warrant border countries to check activities in No Man’s Land – a 150-metre strip on either side of the boundary line.
- China’s role: Some local authorities did not rule out the possibility of China assisting Myanmar in building the dam. “According to the locals, the topography of the area is such that Khangtung and other Indian villages will be submerged if the dam comes up.
Other internal dams in Manipur are also worrisome
- Mapithel dam: In June 2015, Chadong in Ukhrul district was submerged by the Mapithel dam on river Thoubal. Initially this dam was known as Thoubal Multipurpose Project.
- The Khuga dam: The Khuga dam south of Manipur’s Churachandpur town was Taken up in 1980. The project didn’t materialize until 2002 leading to cost escalation from the initial ₹15 crore to ₹381.29 crore in 2009.
- Tipaimukh Project: The Tipaimukh mega hydroelectric project proposed on river Barak in Manipur 35 years ago is also in trouble water. Bangladesh is against the project, as Barak flows into Bangladesh from Manipur through southern Assam and feeds the Surma and Kushiara rivers in the country.
(Source: The Hindu)
