Governor assures funds for major water project as Ukhrul MLA pushes urgent relief for thirst-hit district

Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, January 16:
In a significant development aimed at addressing the chronic water crisis in Ukhrul district, MLA Ram Muivah on Thursday announced that Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla has assured adequate funding for a new water supply project under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI).
Addressing a press conference at Ukhrul town, Muivah said the proposed project will source water from Khangkhui Khunou and will be taken up soon after the completion of the detailed project report (DPR) and survey by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Ukhrul. He described the assurance as a major step towards easing the severe water scarcity faced by the district headquarters and surrounding areas.
“The Governor has assured adequate funding for the project to reduce the water burden of Ukhrul district,” Muivah said, adding that the assurance followed a memorandum he submitted on January 12, drawing attention to the worsening water crisis and its impact on public health and daily life.
The MLA disclosed that an amount of Rs 23 crore has already been sanctioned for the Khangkhui Khunou project. He expressed optimism that objections raised by the Khangkhui Khunou Village Authority—linked to certain unfulfilled demands—would be resolved through dialogue to ensure smooth execution of the project.
Highlighting the need for a long-term solution, Muivah said he has urged the Governor to expedite a permanent and large-scale water infrastructure plan. He referred to a proposal by the Department of Water Resources for constructing a multipurpose dam across the Kongva River and requested that it be recommended to the Department of Economic Affairs for priority consideration under an externally aided project.
Expressing frustration over persistent delays, the MLA noted that he has consistently raised the issues of water scarcity and poor connectivity on the floor of the Manipur Legislative Assembly since 2022. He pointed out that a Rs 23 crore project sanctioned in 2021–22 under the NDB scheme for the Yangyui stream, awarded to a Hyderabad-based firm, has failed to materialise even after nearly five years.
Muivah further said he sought the Governor’s personal intervention to arrange immediate deployment of water tankers to prevent a looming health crisis and possible public agitation.
Providing technical insights, PHED Ukhrul Executive Engineer Themreishang Marei said the district headquarters currently depends on two water sources in Shirui village—the Singuira stream and Kokthi Kong—located about 16 km and 18 km from the treatment plant. He said these catchment areas have been severely affected by deforestation and frequent unregulated wildfires.
Marei also informed that ongoing NH-202 road expansion works have repeatedly damaged pipelines between Choithar junction and Shirui village. To avoid a complete disruption, one pipeline was temporarily removed, while plans are underway to reconnect both lines at Shirui village junction within the next 10 days.
On the Khangkhui Khunou project, Marei said it will include a conventional water treatment plant with a dual conveyance system using both pumping and gravity flow, designed to supplement existing supply systems. He added that the project will benefit Ukhrul district headquarters as well as neighbouring villages such as Hungpung and Choithar.
Members of the Khangkhui Khunou Village Authority present at the press conference reiterated demands for inclusion of dam construction, tourism facilities, Irrigation Channel and other components in the project. Marei appealed for a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to facilitate implementation. The village authority assured their cooperation and expressed gratitude to MLA Ram Muivah for his sustained efforts to address the district’s water crisis.