Cyclists rally against Tipaimukh dam

A cycle rally was taken out by activists in the Indian state of Manipur against the proposed Tipaimukh dam, which they alleged would damage the environment.
The protesters on Saturday also submitted a memorandum addressed to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, requesting him to revoke the Memorandum of Understanding reached last year between the Manipur government and two state-owned enterprises for the dam's construction, said an Indian daily report yesterday.
The proposed dam will be built at the tri-junction of Manipur, Assam and Mizoram at a cost of Rs 3,000 crore.
During the rally at Kakching Khunnou in Thoubal district, the agitators carried placards alleging that the dam, if implemented, would cause human, animal and environmental destruction, the report added.
Social Action Development Organisation organised the rally, supported by anti-dam organisations.
Its Secretary Mandir Laishram told journalists that the Tipaimukh project envisaged 1,500MW power generation.
He, however, had doubts whether the project would actually generate that much electricity.
Laishram alleged that 311 sq km area in Manipur would be submerged due to the dam and nearly 30km of National Highway no:37 would be damaged and the habitat of many birds and animals in 25,822 sq km of forest area would be destroyed due to it.
Bangladesh also has voiced grave concerns over the impact of the Tipaimukh hydropower project on the quantum of water flow in Barak. It has demanded a joint survey before the construction work is launched.
Meanwhile, it is understood that India has accepted a proposal by Bangladesh to include the discussion on the Tipaimukh project under the aegis of the Joint Rivers Commission.