'Rs 20 Cr needed for sewerage project'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 04 2018:
The State needs Rs 20 crore to complete the Imphal Sewerage Project but no amount has been incorporated in the State budget, confided PHE Minister L Dikho.
Speaking to this reporter at his office today, Dikho said that the State Government needs funds to complete phase I of the Imphal Sewerage Project.
With phase I still incomplete, the next phases could not be initiated, he said.
It has been several years since the project was initiated but it could not be completed till date.
Nonetheless, a trial run of the project has already been done, Dikho said.
Underground pipelines of the project damaged by earthquakes at two/three places have been repaired.
Notably, foundation stone for Imphal Sewerage Project by then Governor Ved Marwah on March 5, 2002 and execution of the project started from 2004 with technical assistance from the Government of France.
Five contractors and 100 subcontractors executed the project.
Dikho informed that the Central Government has agreed in principle to take up an external aided project to ensure potable water supply to each and every household of the valley districts by 2022.The project which would be taken up at the cost of around Rs 1300 crore includes replacement of underground pipes and laying of new underground pipes.
Proposals for similar projects which would ensure potable water supply to every household of the hill districts are being prepared, said the PHE Minister.
The department has already studied installation of meters in Imphal Municipal area on trial basis in order to check unlawful tapping of potable water from underground pipes.
Tender for installation of water meters has been floated.
Two/three years back, the State Government received Rs 80 crore from the Centre for maintenance of water supply projects under the National Rural Drinking Water Programme but the Central assistance has now been cut down to Rs 40 crore, he added.