Special Correspondent
Ukhrul, Aug 5:
Ukhrul district, one of the oldest in Manipur, continues to suffer from a severe lack of basic infrastructure. Safe drinking water is scarce, roads are in terrible condition, schools lack math and science teachers, and healthcare facilities remain primitive. Despite these pressing needs, the recent state assembly session highlighted the government’s ongoing neglect of this region.
On July 31, during the budget presentation for 2024-25, Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who also serves as the Finance Minister, failed to mention the critical Ukhrul water project. This omission occurred despite the fact that state water resources engineers had completed all necessary preparations and submitted the project to the Finance Department last year. Yet, the department continues to sit on it, reflecting a disturbing lack of urgency and concern for Ukhrul’s needs.
The budget speech did highlight four Externally Aided Projects (EAPs) under the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, Government of India. These projects, amounting to approximately Rs. 5300 crore, are all concentrated in the valley areas. They include the ADB-funded Imphal Ring Road Project, the ADB-funded Sustainable Loktak Lake Restoration Project, the World Bank-funded Infotech Development (MiND), and the AIIB-funded Manipur Urban Roads (Concrete Pavement) Project. This starkly contrasts with the dire needs of Ukhrul, which remains overlooked despite consistent advocacy from its representatives.
Ukhrul MLA Ram Muivah, who has been in office since 2022, prioritized addressing the community’s urgent need for safe drinking water. Recognizing the critical importance of this issue, he submitted a comprehensive water supply project for Ukhrul district headquarters and surrounding villages under external aid schemes. The Preliminary Project Report (PPR), prepared according to DEA guidelines, was submitted to the state government. However, it remains unaddressed, with the Finance Department showing no signs of urgency.
In his address during the last assembly session, Ram Muivah emphasized the acute scarcity of safe drinking water and the poor road connectivity as Ukhrul’s biggest challenges. He reminded the house that as a special category state, Manipur can avail loans from bilateral or multilateral agencies with 90% of the repayment covered by the DEA and only 10% by the state government. This favorable loan structure, with a 30-year repayment period, makes external aid an excellent opportunity for large-scale projects.
Despite this, the state government has chosen to prioritize valley projects over Ukhrul’s water project, which is significantly less costly at Rs.800 crore. This project not only aims to provide water supply but also includes flood control and irrigation components, making it a comprehensive solution for the district’s needs.
Ram Muivah has consistently pursued the water supply project from Kongvu River, utilizing a multi-staging pumping system. However, his efforts have been met with indifference and apathy from the current administration. In the previous assembly, he voiced the pain and anguish of Ukhrul’s people, only to face resistance from the ruling coalition. Reliable sources indicate that the NPF president was advised by the Chief Minister to dissuade Muivah from speaking out, threatening that the NPF is free to leave the coalition if they fail to comply. This reveals the precarious position of junior partners in the current government.
The neglect extends beyond water projects. Ukhrul’s district headquarters’ roads are in a deplorable state, resembling slums. From his first day in office, Ram Muivah submitted proposals for road surfacing (black topping) under the PM DEVINE program. However, the state government ignored these proposals for hill areas, submitting only three projects, all in the Imphal Valley, to the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDONER), Government of India.
This pattern of neglect highlights a broader issue within the state’s governance. The concentration of projects and resources in the valley areas, to the detriment of hill districts like Ukhrul, exposes a significant disparity. The government’s lackadaisical attitude towards addressing the pressing needs of these regions is both alarming and unacceptable.
The people of Ukhrul are left grappling with basic necessities, their cries for help seemingly falling on deaf ears. The state government’s inaction not only hampers development but also perpetuates a cycle of neglect and deprivation. The disparity in infrastructure development between the valley and hill areas is a glaring issue that demands immediate attention and rectification.
The CM’s budget speech, devoid of any mention of the vital Ukhrul water project, is a stark reminder of the government’s apathy. It underscores the urgent need for a more balanced and inclusive approach to development that addresses the needs of all regions equitably.
The ongoing neglect of Ukhrul district is a call to action. The state government must prioritize the completion of the Ukhrul water project and ensure that other essential infrastructure projects are expedited. The people of Ukhrul deserve access to safe drinking water, proper roads, quality education, and modern healthcare. It is time for the government to listen to their voices and take concrete steps to address their needs.
The CM’s budget speech has exposed the government’s lackadaisical attitude towards the hill districts, particularly Ukhrul. This neglect must end. The state government must rise to the occasion and ensure that the needs of all its citizens, regardless of their geographical location, are met with urgency and commitment. Ukhrul’s development should no longer be an afterthought but a priority. The time for action is now.
