Manipur, IMPHAL, July 28: After a long gap of nearly three years, the Pump House No.1 of Loktak Lift Irrigation Scheme has begun operations from today to irrigate the paddy fields in Bishnupur district.
IFCD minister Ngamthang Haokip expressed contentment at the successful operation of the water pumps of Loktak Lift Irrigation.
The minister along with the officials of IFCD including Chief Engineer Th Indramani inspected the Pump House No. 1 of Loktak Lift Irrigation Scheme located at Ningthoukhong today.
Speaking to media persons, minister Ngamthang Haokip stated that the IFCD is striving to provide water to the dry paddy fields and mitigate the problems of the farmers.
Ngamthang was surprised to see the water pumps unmaintained. The pumps have not been used for more than three years since the occurrence of last drought in 2009.
The Pump House No. 1 was made operational as per strict instruction of the minister to the IFCD officials. There are altogether seven pumps in the Pump House No.1 out of which five pumps are of 90 cusecs and two pumps of 75 cusecs.
Two 75 cusecs pumps are meant for Moirang Low Level Canal. The total length of Imphal Main Canal is 10 kilometres and its capacity is 450 cusecs. It covers a total area of 1400 hectares in the villages of Toupokpi, Upokpi, Potsangbam, Nachou, Kwaksiphai, Khoijuman, Toubul and Ngaikhong Khullen. The IFCD is expected to irrigate about 1000 hectares covered under Imphal Main Canal.
The total length of Moirang Low Level Canal is 19 kilometres and it covers an area of 3600 hectares in the villages of Ningthoukhong, Thinungei and Phubala. An area of 1250 hectares under Moirang Low Level Canal will be irrigated.
Chief Engineer Th Indramani stated that the department could not maintain the pumps due to inadequate funds. The pumps at Pump House No.1 were made operational after their faulty transformers were replaced by the functional transformers of Pump House No. 2.
The Sekmai Barrage has been supplying water properly, but the Imphal Barrage has stopped supply of water to a defect in one of its gate. The problem will be fixed soon, he noted.
