Imphal, March 13: A water supply scheme, targeting at supplying safe drinking water to around 44,000 heads residing at Mata and its surrounding villages in Churachandpur district, was inaugurated today by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).
Power Minister Phungjathang Tonsing, PHED Minister, TN Haokip, IFCD Minister N Biren and MLA of Henglep Assembly Constituency T Manga Vaiphei attended the inaugural function of the scheme, located at the top of Buallian hill, as president, chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, IFCD minister, N Biren expressed concern over reduction in the water resource in the state due to the sinking coverage of forest which resulted in the reduction of water holding capacity of the lakes, rivers and the catchment areas of dams in Manipur.
He said, high reduction in the water level of Imphal, Iril and other rivers in the state during dry seasons is due to the uncontrolled felling of trees in the catchment areas of the river.
Despite having so much water supply schemes, these will be of no use it if there is no water, Biren observed adding that people are demanding supply of safe drinking water but not doing anything to stop deforestation.
He further said that the construction works of the Khuga Multi-purpose project which was started in 1982 will be completed soon. His department is trying its best to complete the construction works by the current year 2010.
Out of three components of the project, irrigation, power and water supply, the construction works of water supply is completed, he added.
PHED Minister, TN Haokip who also expressed concern over the mass scale deforestation in the state said that the catchment areas of Khuga, Dollaithabi, Singda Dams, etc. have been greatly affected, these projects are likely to fail in the near future.
He also appealed to the people to help in the protection of the catchment areas of the project sites by not felling the trees.
On the other hand, he said the problem facing by the villagers in the surrounding to be covered by the scheme will be relief from today and reminding that the main source of raw water for the scheme is the Khuga Dam.
He also urged the villagers to stopped demanding compensation for affected land once again as government had already compensated them. The water supply scheme inaugurated and handed over to the people was constructed by the state PHED with the fund from the Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) at an estimated cost of Rs 815 lakh.
The scheme will cover around 13 villages including Churachandpur town, Mata Village, Lhingsiphai, Tangmual, Tualnuam, Kawnpui, Lanva, Ngathal, New Lamka Rengkui, Meetei Leikai etc. having a total population of around 44,313 heads.
Hueiyen News Service
