CRAM highlights fault lines that appeared after Manipur earthquake
Imphal, January 5 (MExN): The Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur (CRAM) has stated today that the January 4 earthquake, with its epicenter in Tamenglong District, should be an occasion for “due consideration and sensitivity” to the repeated assertions from academicians, technicians, civil society organizations, that Manipur’s “proximity and location in very high seismic zone 5 requires a cautious and inevitable consideration of seismic aspect and impacts in all development planning and processes.”
In that, it called for a re-think of development planning based on rightful participation of all indigenous communities for just and sustainable development of Manipur.
While expressing “deepest condolence and heartfelt grief” to those who lost their lives in the earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale, the CRAM expressed concern over the several mega structures in Manipur that either fell apart or developed cracks.
A press statement from Sanaton Laishram, President of the CRAM, informed that these mega structures built for public purposes by the Government of Manipur with Corporate bodies, have fallen apart or have developed cracks, including the famed women’s market, sacred temples at Kangla, the lone flyover etc. in Imphal Town.
“It is highly concerning that Singda dam close to the epicentre of the tremor, had also developed cracks as had reported by nearby villagers in Imphal Free Press (5 January 2015). Further, there are reports of some of tunnels of Trans Asian Railway in Tamenglong and the towers of World Bank funded High Voltage Transmission lines had caved,” it stated.
The inability for these mega development structures to withstand the seismic activity on January 4 indicates that “the seismic aspects and impacts, especially in Manipur which is juxtaposed in high and active seismic zone, within the folds of Himalayan Mountain range, has either not been considered or disregarded.”
The CRAM also brought to attention the “additional issue of low quality of works and aspect of fraud and corruption of the construction works by corporate bodies involved in the construction works.”
Further, Laishram pointed out that the proposed plans for building Tipaimukh Dam, Pabram and Irang Hydel projects and other mega dams under the Manipur Hydro Power Policy, 2012, the proposed Oil Exploration Plans in Tamenglong and Churachandpur districts, the extensive tunnelling and construction works for both Trans Asian Railway and Trans Asian Highway and multitude of other large scale development projects within Manipur need “serious introspection for their feasibility and rationality in places like Manipur.”
“There should be clear review of the existing mega development structures like Mapithel dam, the Singda dam, Khuga etc for their compliance or due consideration of Seismic impacts. This natural calamity should also lead to a development decision based on rightful participation of all indigenous communities and all those concerned with a just and a sustainable development in Manipur,” the CRAM asserted.
