-By Haokholala Thangjom
Sisyphus, king of Corinth, was condemned in Tartars to roll ceaselessly up a hill a huge stone which would roll back to the foot of the hill again each time he neared the top of the hill; hence, endless, laborous and futile) —Chambers Dictionary (New) Page 1546
According to the locals, the name of Khuga river is Tuithapui or Tuithapi (Good water or river). Quite contrary to its name, the river is almost useless to the people as the riverbed is very low or lower than the level of arable land and homestead lands. Its name is “flaunted” during the time of flood when it claims some persons or cattles as victims of drowning. The water of Khuga river flowed incognito by the State Government for the last many years.
Just before I contested elections for the second time from Churchandpur Assembly Constituency in 1967, before Manipur became a full-fledged State, I conceptualised the feasibility of “taming” Khuga river as a multi-purpose project. Eventually, it found place in my Election Manifesto. (In those days Election Manifesto was the ear and the eye of the electorate. Alas! It has gone with the wind nowadays. Not only manifesto, public meeting, rally, party affiliation, house to house campaign having stronghold and devotion to public service have become meaningless or oblivious. The Triumvirate or Trimurti for success in elections are Munition, Money power and Muscle power (Three Ms). Identity cards are useless in the tribal areas.
In the sitting of the Assembly in 1978 - 79, I sponsored the Project—the Khuga Multipurpose Project which I even called “My fair Lady”. The preference of its location was between Kumbi in the valley and Mata in Churchandpur district. The latter was selected on the ground that it was near the source of the river which flows towards Kumbi which can create 15,000 hectares of annual irrigation. The project was sanctioned by the Planning Commission in 1980. Upto 1987 - 88, the Project was not “earmarked” by the Planning Commission, which was “earmarked” in 1988 - 89 with an estimated cost of Rupees fifteen corers. It envisaged:-
It also envisaged construction of earth dam of 230 metre at the top with a minimum height of 38 metres of water. Withdrawal of water for irrigation from the reservoir will be through the left and the right canal system. The right side main canal system will have and approximate length of 68 Km extending from Mata and the left canal will have length of 24 Km.
Since 1980 more than twenty-eight years had lapsed and it is really astonishing and unfortunate that the project is not yet completed even after spending more than 200 crores of rupees. Believe it or not. The MLA elected after me, as many as three in number were not interested to bolster the project, presumably, grudging that it may become my enigmatic memorabilia. Until and unless the Khuga Project is completed the people Churchandpur town (the second biggest town in Manipur!) and neighbouring village will reel under the problem of eccentric supply of electricity and non-violability of good drinking water. How long such appalling plight of the people will continue? To sustain life without good drinking water and electrical energy (After Nuclear Deal for energy was agreed upon by the USA and our country) will certainly be mockery or abuse to democratic Government, if it is not plutocracy.
When I ponder over the completion of the Project, after 28 had lapsed the legend of Sisyphus, King of Corinth who had been condemned to punishment for his crime came into my strayed thought. I urge the Churachanpurians to bear with the State Government, with patience and fortitude. The Project is teddy bear when compared with Sadar Sarovar dam in Gujarat and Aswan dam in Egypt. To the Rulers the Project became El Doredo! Ultimately, it will become Jacob’s well at Sychar in Samaria to the commoners.
Source: THE SANGAI EXPRESS
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Sisyphus, king of Corinth, was condemned in Tartars to roll ceaselessly up a hill a huge stone which would roll back to the foot of the hill again each time he neared the top of the hill; hence, endless, laborous and futile) —Chambers Dictionary (New) Page 1546
According to the locals, the name of Khuga river is Tuithapui or Tuithapi (Good water or river). Quite contrary to its name, the river is almost useless to the people as the riverbed is very low or lower than the level of arable land and homestead lands. Its name is “flaunted” during the time of flood when it claims some persons or cattles as victims of drowning. The water of Khuga river flowed incognito by the State Government for the last many years.
Just before I contested elections for the second time from Churchandpur Assembly Constituency in 1967, before Manipur became a full-fledged State, I conceptualised the feasibility of “taming” Khuga river as a multi-purpose project. Eventually, it found place in my Election Manifesto. (In those days Election Manifesto was the ear and the eye of the electorate. Alas! It has gone with the wind nowadays. Not only manifesto, public meeting, rally, party affiliation, house to house campaign having stronghold and devotion to public service have become meaningless or oblivious. The Triumvirate or Trimurti for success in elections are Munition, Money power and Muscle power (Three Ms). Identity cards are useless in the tribal areas.
In the sitting of the Assembly in 1978 - 79, I sponsored the Project—the Khuga Multipurpose Project which I even called “My fair Lady”. The preference of its location was between Kumbi in the valley and Mata in Churchandpur district. The latter was selected on the ground that it was near the source of the river which flows towards Kumbi which can create 15,000 hectares of annual irrigation. The project was sanctioned by the Planning Commission in 1980. Upto 1987 - 88, the Project was not “earmarked” by the Planning Commission, which was “earmarked” in 1988 - 89 with an estimated cost of Rupees fifteen corers. It envisaged:-
1. To create 15,000 hectares of annual irrigation.
2. To supply 15 million gallons daily of raw water.
3. To generate hydro-power of 1.5 mega watt.
4. To create fresh water fishery.
5. To create tourist centre.
It also envisaged construction of earth dam of 230 metre at the top with a minimum height of 38 metres of water. Withdrawal of water for irrigation from the reservoir will be through the left and the right canal system. The right side main canal system will have and approximate length of 68 Km extending from Mata and the left canal will have length of 24 Km.
Since 1980 more than twenty-eight years had lapsed and it is really astonishing and unfortunate that the project is not yet completed even after spending more than 200 crores of rupees. Believe it or not. The MLA elected after me, as many as three in number were not interested to bolster the project, presumably, grudging that it may become my enigmatic memorabilia. Until and unless the Khuga Project is completed the people Churchandpur town (the second biggest town in Manipur!) and neighbouring village will reel under the problem of eccentric supply of electricity and non-violability of good drinking water. How long such appalling plight of the people will continue? To sustain life without good drinking water and electrical energy (After Nuclear Deal for energy was agreed upon by the USA and our country) will certainly be mockery or abuse to democratic Government, if it is not plutocracy.
When I ponder over the completion of the Project, after 28 had lapsed the legend of Sisyphus, King of Corinth who had been condemned to punishment for his crime came into my strayed thought. I urge the Churachanpurians to bear with the State Government, with patience and fortitude. The Project is teddy bear when compared with Sadar Sarovar dam in Gujarat and Aswan dam in Egypt. To the Rulers the Project became El Doredo! Ultimately, it will become Jacob’s well at Sychar in Samaria to the commoners.
Source: THE SANGAI EXPRESS
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