IT News
Imphal, Sept. 5
Social Welfare Educational and Cultural Association has expressed that residents of Saman Village of Keirao A/C, Imphal East, are deprived of clean drinking water as Waithoupat Water Supply has stopped distributing water. Chanam Sanayaima, Secretary, Social Welfare Educational and Cultural Association, said that the then government of Okram Ibobi, who inaugurated the construction of the water supply in 2006, promised that this water supply would provide water to the people of Waithou, Waithou Chiru, Saijin Palak, Saman Tangkhul, Thiyam Konjin, and other places of Thoubal district. The villagers had requested for construction of proper canals since the water reservoir blocking the water supply would hinder the farming process. It was agreed upon, but was not done so.
After the completion of its construction in 2010-2011, the water supply started distributing water for 1 year as trial only to some areas of Thoubal district, but skipped the neighbouring villages. When the villagers complained, the then government responded that they did not have pipes and the water distribution will start once they had the pipes. He further said that the current Chief Minister, N. Biren, has also inaugurated the construction of another water supply in Tangjeng, Thoubal District, on August 19, 2019, using the water from Waithoupat Water Supply Scheme.
The poor conditions of the canals has caused flood every year, damaging the neighbouring paddy fields. The villagers have requested the concerned department to fix the canals and provide clean drinking water, but never been heard. Sanayaima added that if this water supply is not opened to all and the pipeline is not constructed properly before September 30, the villagers will ban the drawing of water and other related activities from phase 2 and 3 of the water reservoir from October 1, 2019. He appealed for the concerned departments and the government to look into the matter as soon as possible.