PHED to supply drinking water via respective MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 17 2020:
The Public Health Engineering Department is taking up measures to provide drinking water to people through MLAs, said a source in the department today.
As people in many areas of Imphal city and other parts of the State are facing acute water shortage during the COVID-19 inflicted lockdown, all possible steps are being taken up to provide drinking water.
The required water of the people will be delivered through local MLAs, said the source.
With majority of rivers in the State including Imphal river, Iril and Thoubal river running low due to scanty rainfall, many water treatment plants have not been functioning.
"Even as Dolaithabi barrage and Thoubal dam have some water, it is not sufficient.
With the prevailing situation at hand due to COVID-19, it can be assumed that only Koirengei Water Treatment Plant is functional now.
The valley alone is not facing the problem, some hill districts are facing acute drinking water shortage too," the source said.
"With the instructions and advice of Chief Minister, the PHE Department is taking up steps to open temporary (water) filling points at Koirengei Water Treatment Plant, Iroishemba Reservoir (near Central Agricultural University), Leishang Hiden (opposite Manipur University Main gate) and Ningthem Pukhri," informed the source.
The PHE Minister has already written to Ministers and MLAs to arrange two water tankers to collect and distribute drinking water in their respective Constituencies, said the source adding PHED Executive Engineers will be coordinating with MLAs concerned in hill districts to provide drinking water to the people.
The expenses of delivering water to the people under the initiative will be made from the Rs 25 lakh (MLA Local Area Development Fund) sanctioned to each MLA to fight COVID-19, the source said.