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{{Infobox dam
| name_official = Thoubal Multipurpose Project
| location = [[Kangpokpi district]], [[Kamjong district]]
| purpose = Power, irrigation, drinking water
| opening = December 27, 2020
| name = Mapithel Dam
| dam_length = 1,120 metres
| owner = [[Government of Manipur]]: 26%<br/>[[NHPC]]: 74%
| operator = Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Corporation Limited
| construction_began = 1980
| website = {{url|https://manipur.mygov.in/talk/thoubal-multipurpose-project/}}
| coordinates = {{coord|24.8238|94.1421}}
| country = India
| location_map = India Manipur#India
}}

'''Mapithel Dam''' or '''Maphou Dam''', officially known as the '''Thoubal Multipurpose Project''', is a dam on the [[Thoubal River|Thoubal river]], in the [[Manipur]] state of India.

Construction of the dam was met with protests from local communities.

The dam's official inauguration occurred on December 27, 2020 although the drinking water distribution system was not operational.

== Description ==
The dam, on the Thoubal river,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Aggarwal |first=Mayank |date=2022-04-01 |title=Manipur's push for dams threatens local ecology and communities |url=https://india.mongabay.com/2022/04/manipurs-push-for-dams-threatens-local-ecology-and-communities/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=[[Mongabay]] |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-03-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230320095211/https://india.mongabay.com/2022/04/manipurs-push-for-dams-threatens-local-ecology-and-communities/ |url-status=live }}</ref> is designed to supply 7.5 megawatts of electricity, irrigate 33,449 hectares of land,<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2018-03-05 |title=Protests planned against opening of Mapithel mega dam in Manipur |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/india-landrights-protests-idINKBN1GH0Z0 |access-date=2023-06-18 |archive-date=2023-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509010626/https://www.reuters.com/article/india-landrights-protests-idINKBN1GH0Z0 |url-status=live }}</ref> and supply 10 million gallons of drinking water to [[Imphal]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |last=Themson |first=Jajo |date=19 Jan 2021 |title=Questions over commissioning Mapithel Dam |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/1/19/Jajo-ThemsonIt-s-good-news-for-public-of-Manipur-that-the-long-chronic-Mapithel-dam-of-Thoubal-Multipurpose-Project-has-been-officially-inaugurated-on-27th-December-2020-Sunday-The-same-was-achiev.html |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=[[The Sangai Express]] |language=en |archive-date=2021-03-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210306115724/https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2021/1/19/Jajo-ThemsonIt-s-good-news-for-public-of-Manipur-that-the-long-chronic-Mapithel-dam-of-Thoubal-Multipurpose-Project-has-been-officially-inaugurated-on-27th-December-2020-Sunday-The-same-was-achiev.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Embankment dam|earth dam's]] design is 1,120 metres long.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Thoubal Multipurpose Project (7.5 MW) |url=http://ldhcl.in/?page_id=151 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404111858/http://ldhcl.in/?page_id=151 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |access-date=18 June 2023 |website=Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Corporation Limited.}}</ref>

The dam is located in the [[Ukhrul district]], 35 kilometres from Imphal, the Manipur state capitol.<ref name=":3" />

Officially known as Thoubal Multipurpose Project, the dam's construction is managed by Loktak Downstream Hydroelectric Corporation Limited, a joint venture of the [[Government of Manipur]] and public sector power company [[NHPC]].<ref name=":3" /> The government own 26% of the project, the company own 74%.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to LDHC Limited |url=http://ldhcl.in/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007052157/http://ldhcl.in/ |archive-date=7 October 2022}}</ref>

The dam is expected to flood 2,000 hectares, affecting approximately 8,000 people and the land of six villages, impacting farming and fishing.<ref name=":1" />

2022 cost estimates of the project were [[Indian rupee|Rs]] 47.25 [[crore]].<ref name=":0" />

== History ==
The project was approved for construction by the local government in May 1980.<ref name=":3" /> Targets to open the dam were missed in 1987, 1994, 2002, 2007, 2013, 2015, twice in 2016, 2017 and 2018.<ref name=":2" />

In 2015 protests occurred against the dam<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yumnam |first=Jiten |date=2015-03-14 |title=United stand against dam |url=https://assamtimes.org/node/13194 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Assam Times |language=en |archive-date=2021-04-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411024031/https://assamtimes.org/node/13194 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in 2016, [[Thoyee]], [[Riha, Manipur|Riha]] and Naga village community members raised concerns about the dam's impact on forestry and community land. Both the Centre for Research and Advocacy and the Committee on Human Rights expressed concern about the dam's impact on the communities.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-08-09 |title=Say 'NO' to Mapithel dam |url=https://assamtimes.org/node/17479 |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Assam Times |language=en |archive-date=2021-01-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117145122/https://assamtimes.org/node/17479 |url-status=live }}</ref> Protest from the local community occurred at Lamlai Khunao village on December 7 2020. Villagers complained that a memorandum of agreement with the Water Resources Department was being breached. The agreement covered solutions to impacts from the dam, including interruptions to their way of life and fishing. Villagers wanted water released and the dam project halted.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shaiza |first=Ashin |date=2021-10-12 |title=Mapithel Dam Protest: One Day Sit-in Protest On Failure To Honour MoA Held {{!}} Ukhrul Times |url=https://ukhrultimes.com/mapithel-dam-protest-one-day-sit-in-protest-on-failure-to-honour-moa-held/ |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=Ukhrul Times |language=en-US |archive-date=2022-11-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126203308/https://ukhrultimes.com/mapithel-dam-protest-one-day-sit-in-protest-on-failure-to-honour-moa-held/ |url-status=live }}</ref> After a dispute between villagers affected by the dam, the [[National Green Tribunal (India)|National Green Tribunal]] found in favour of the villagers, against the government, citing the [[Forest Rights Act]]. The government appealed the decision to the [[Supreme Court of India|Supreme Court]] in 2018.<ref name=":2" />

During a 2019 drought in Manupur, government officials reported that the dam saved paddy fields.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=18 March 2023 |title=Water from Loktak to be supplied to public from March 21 |url=https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/3/19/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Mar-18-The-Thoubal-Dam-Thoubal-Multipurpose-Project-would-not-dry.html |access-date=2023-06-18 |website=[[The Sangai Express]] |language=en |archive-date=2023-03-21 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230321233307/https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/Encyc/2023/3/19/By-Our-Staff-ReporterIMPHAL-Mar-18-The-Thoubal-Dam-Thoubal-Multipurpose-Project-would-not-dry.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The dam was officially inaugurated on December 27, 2020,<ref name=":2" /> despite the water distribution pipework being incomplete and by 2021 still assessed as being over one year short of completion in January 2021.<ref name=":2" /> By 2021, holistic impact assessments had not been completed, details on the environmental, ecological cultural, livelihood, social and health impacts were all not fully assessed.<ref name=":2" />

During March 2023 water shortages, The Manipur [[Public Health Engineering Department]] stated that the dam would soon be able to provide drinking water to the residents of Imphal. At the time, the dam was reported to be supplying water to the Chingkheiching Forest Reserve and was holding 75 to 80 million cubic feet of water.<ref name=":4" />

== See also ==

* [[Khuga Dam]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Dams in Manipur]]
[[Category:Embankment dams]]
[[Category:Dams under construction]]
[[Category:Hydroelectric power stations in Manipur]]
[[Category:Publicly owned dams]]

Mapithel Dam - Revision history

Michaelevansnet at 13:43, 16 August 2025