SILCHAR: Foundation stone for the much-hyped and politically as well as from ecological angle, the most debated multi-purpose hydel project at Tipaimukh in Manipur, popularly known as Barak Dam, was laid down on December 16, 2006 by the then Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde. Union Minister of State Prithviraj Chauhan, Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh were present.

SILCHAR: Notwithstanding the uncertainty over Barak dam, also known as Tipaimukh Hydro Electric Power Project, several NGOs and organizations have raised concern over the proposed construction of dams in Barak Valley and Mizoram. They have made reference to dams at the upstream of Barak, Rukhni, Sonai, Dhaleswari and Singla rivers which if constructed will spell doom for the people and environment.

Though the Ministry of External Affairs has promised to provide Bangladesh with details of the agreement on the construction of the Tipaimukh Dam in Manipur, the very signing of the deal has sparked a fresh controversy.

Following media reports and criticism, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry issued a statement on Saturday, disclosing that India had promised to give details of the deal signed recently by National Hydro Power Company, Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd. and the Manipur government to build the 1,500-MW project.

SILCHAR, April 7: Committee on People and Environment (COPE) in a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of Manipur expressed its deep concern at the construction of Tipaimukh Dam despite opposition from naturalists and environmentalists of Northeast. There have been protest demonstrations by NGOs in Manipur, Mizoram and Barak Valley of Assam, besides that of in Bangladesh.

IMPHAL, July 2: India

SILCHAR, Sept 24: The fate of nearly four-decade old 1500 MW multipurpose Barak Dam at Tipaimukh has again been pushed to uncertainty. In fact, this project has been caught in the vortex of controversies due mainly to the objection of Manipur Government over apprehension that it would inundate a large number of tribal villages and cause ecological disaster.

Assam Governor Shiv Charan Mathur who assumed charge today expressed reservations over the proposed mega hydro-power projects in Arunachal Pradesh, saying that dam-induced damages like flood and adverse environmental impacts needed to be assessed properly. "I am aware of Assam's concerns over the dams and I feel there is no need to construct mega dams. Small hydel projects on the tributaries of the Brahmaputra and Barak should serve our purpose,' he said while addressing his first press conference.

A proposed Indian dam releases a flood of protests in Bangladesh