Head of Project at NHPC Ltd. and recently appointed General Manager (Electrical) called on the Manipur Governor and briefed him about the operational challenges faced by the Loktak Hydroelectric Project.

About Loktak Hydroelectric Project
The Loktak Hydroelectric Project is a significant multipurpose power project in India. Here are the key details:

• Location: It is located in the state of Manipur, specifically harnessing the water resources of the Loktak Lake (the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India).
• River System: It uses water from the Loktak Lake, which is fed by rivers like the Khuga and Imphal rivers.
• Installed Capacity: The project has an installed capacity of 105 MW (Megawatts).
• Operator: It is owned and operated by the NHPC Limited (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).
• Commissioning Year: Construction began in 1971, and it entered commercial operation in 1983.
• Key Component: A major part of the project is the Ithai Barrage, which helps maintain the water level in the lake to ensure sufficient volume for power generation.
• Ecological Context: The project is closely linked to Loktak Lake, a Ramsar site (wetland of international importance), which is famous for its floating islands called phumdis and the Keibul Lamjao National Park (the world's only floating national park, home to the endangered Sangai deer). The project's operation, particularly the water level management by the Ithai Barrage, has been a subject of ecological concern regarding the lake ecosystem.

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