'Masterplan to improve Imphal drainage system soon'
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 27 2022:
Acknowledging that around 90 per cent of the drainage system in Imphal city and its surrounding areas has failed, MAHUD minister Y Khemchand said that the department will soon come up with a masterplan to improve the drainage system in the capital city.
Responding to a policy cut motion moved by opposition member K Meghachandra over the failure of holding elections for the local bodies and the ambitious smart city mission during the ongoing session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, Khemchand said that 26 out of the 27 urban local bodies including IMC were supposed to go to the polls in January-February but was delayed due to Covid-19 pandemic.
It was further delayed owing to the 12th state assembly election.
However, the state cabinet had taken a decision to conduct the pending elections in September or October, he added.
As for the drainage system, MAHUD department, under the advice of chief minister, requested PWD to come up with a master plan for improving the drainage system.
There is no reason for water logging on the eastern side of Keishampat and areas along Nambul River.
The only problem is with the drainage system, which could not drain the rainwater and it will need a master plan to resolve it, he said, while adding that waterlogging has also affected condition of roads.
As for the smart city mission, the minister maintained that the government has completed many components of the mission.
Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) is part of the smart city application and there are 42 junctions under this centre.
The centre will be commanded/operated through 11 models including PA system for important public announcement and lighting system among others.
Seven of the models were inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi in January last.
Under the mission, the ICCC is capable of identifying any vehicle involved in any crimes including jumping red light in traffic, he said.
Plantation of plants on the road media is taken up by forest, environment and horticulture department.
There is also policy to plant species of plants suitable with the smart city mission, Khemchand explained.
Kakching MLA L Rameshwar and Keishamthong MLA Sapam Nishikant also gave their observations during the discussion.