Kharasom village water issue under MHRC lens
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 05 2023:
After taking up a suo-motu case based on the report 'Kharasom seeks remedy after destruction of lone water source' published by this daily on February 19, Manipur Human Rights Commission (MHRC) said it has found that at present Kharasom village is not facing water crisis as a perennial water source has been identified for use as water supply through pumping.
In an order issued on March 31, MHRC chairperson Justice U B Saha and member KK Singh stated that after a case was registered on February 23 and notices sent to deputy commissioner, Ukhrul and others, a report on the matter was submitted to the Commission by PHED chief engineer (CE) on March 28, who annexed with it a report from PHED Division, Ukhrul executive engineer.
The report informed that a raw main pipeline (old) of around 3.2 km of length has been damaged along with the intake structure and collection chamber.
The villagers are presently fetching water through vehicles from Namrei village, which is 15 km away, and a nearby river that is located at a distance of 17 km.
A new perennial source has been identified which can be used for water supply through pumping.
As immediate measures to solve the water scarcity issue, IPD and PHED, Ukhrul officials have conducted a survey to find sites suitable for drilling borewell, it added.
The order also mentioned that the Commission is of the opinion that presently, Kharasom villagers are not facing water scarcity and by this time they are now aware of a perennial source which can be utilised for water supply.
The Commission further opined that at present Department of PHE has solved the crisis temporarily, but a permanent solution for water supply for Kharasom village is needed from PHED CE.
It then disposed of the suo-motu complaint case.