Private water tanker drivers on stir mode
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 18 2014:
Private water tanker drivers today staged demonstration against PHED's denial of supplying drinking water to them from Porompat water supply plant.
All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union general secretary H Kulamani told reporters that the drivers staged their demonstration by lining up their vehicles in front of Porompat water supply plant from 6 am to 6 pm.
The Department suspended supply of water to private tankers a few days ahead of FIFA World Cup 2014 citing reason for need of saving power to supply uninterrupted power supply during the international event.
However, PHED has not restored water supply to them till date, Kulamani added.
Saying that apart from supplying water to domestic pipelines, Porompat water supply plant catered to around 180 private water tankers, Kulamani said that these vehicles usually ran three trips a day.
Maintaining that PHED charged Rs 80 per trip, Kulamani said that these water tankers supplied water to Government hospitals, hostels, boardings, NIT, police, schools and private houses.
He added that Koirengei water supply plant is not capable to cater drinking water to this huge number of tankers while Chingarel plant charges Rs 200 per trip.
Saying that there is also a privately run water supply plant at Khurai Thouroijam Leikai, he added that local club and Meira Paibees have imposed ban on entry of water tankers at the locality as road condition is bad and narrow.
Questioning why PHED has not restored supplying water to private tankers till date, Kulamani said that different forms of agitation would be initiated if they do not get water by September 29 .