Water woes in Khwairamband
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 11, 2012:
All the three Nupi Keithels of Khwairamband Market are facing multiple problems due to non-availability of water.
In the absence of adequate water in the toilet blocks, people are buying water for defecation.
In addition to making extra expenditure for defecation, inadequate water has also multiplied filthiness of the toilet blocks and they are becoming quite stinky.
Though the notice put up at the entrance of the toilet blocks said that charge for bathing is Rs 10, for defecation Rs 5 and urination Rs 3, the care-takers have been charging Rs 10 for defecation on the ground that water being provided there was purchased from private suppliers.
At Nupi Keithel II, also known as New Market, water was not available in its toilet blocks for the last five days.
Compelled by the situation, the care-takers have been providing water purchased from private suppliers at the rate of Rs 150 per 500 litres.
One care-taker said that the New Market was facing the gravest water problem among the three Nupi Markets.
As water was not available for more than a month in June-July this year, the toilet blocks were closed for several days.
The toilet blocks were re-opened after the care-takers purchased water vessels as well as water from private suppliers at the insistence of the women vendors.
The care-taker said that the toilet blocks have become repulsively stinky as there was no water to pour out after urination.
Moreover, acute shortage of water is posing serious impedance in the routine cleaning of the toilet blocks.
Lakshmi Market is also facing a similar situation.
After the taps remained dry for three days, water was available through the tap only yesterday.
The condition was little better at Nupi Keithel I, also known as Purana Market.
However, the water-basin (for drinking water) has been occupied by flower-pots and IMC's goods used in parking maintenance.