Scrap sewerage project, suggests Joykisan
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 28 2022: Pointing out that the protracted sewerage project has been causing lots of inconveniences to the public rather than doing any good, MLA Kh Joykisan has suggested the Government to scrap the project.

The MLA from Thangmeiband AC made this suggestion in the State Assembly during the question hour today.

Joykisan asked when the sewerage project started, how much money has been spent and how many pending liabilities are there.

Replying to the MLA, PHED Minister L Susindro said that the project was launched in 2004, Rs 34,325 lakh had been spent so far and there is a pending liability of Rs 778.55 lakh.

Further pointing out that the project is now almost 18 years old, Joykisan asked if the project taken up at the cost of a huge amount has benefited the public in any manner.

"I am not sure about its benefits but it has wrecked many roads of Thangmeiband AC, particularly Watham Leirak", Joykisan said.

The roads were dug up and repaired, only to be dug up again.

As the project has failed to provide any kind of benefit to the public, the project should be dropped, he said.

Susindro said that some inconveniences were caused to the public as many roads were dug up for laying underground sewerage pipes during the first phase of the project.

Tender process for phase II (of Imphal sewerage project) is underway.

Out of five packages, tender process has been completed for one, he said.

He assured that maximum efforts would be invested to minimise the inconveniences caused to the public by the project.

Susindro went on to claim that the sewerage project would certainly become a valuable asset of Imphal city in the coming years.

The PHED Minister stated that maximum efforts would be invested to complete the project within the next two years.

Notably, the project is being funded by the New Development Bank (NDB).

Water Resources Minister Awangbow Newmai informed the House that the Government has set a target of completing both the left and right canals of Dolaithabi Barrage project by December this year.

Awangbow Newmai gave this information in response to a query raised by MLA Th Lokeshwar.

Necessary amount has been deposited with the Imphal East Deputy Commissioner for payment of compensation to land owners affected by the two canals, Awangbow said Replying to another question raised by Ram Muivah, L Susindro said that PHED Ukhrul Division has been using water tankers to distribute water to Government buildings, hospitals, schools and the general public of Ukhrul district headquarters in view of the water scarcity being encountered there.

Susindro said that the Government has been working to instal 38 hand-pumps in Ukhrul with funding from NDB.

Replying to LM Khaute, Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr S Ranjan informed the House that Rs 15 lakh has been sanctioned for construction of a multi-drug resistant TB centre at Churachandpur.

Noting that drug resistant TB is a serious issue in the State, Dr S Ranjan said that the Government has been working to purchase some portable digital X-Ray machines with funding from NDB.

He further informed that academic session of Churachandpur Medical College would commence once the National Medical Commission (NMC) issues the Letter of Permission (LOP).

There is also a plan to instal one digital X-Ray machine at the hospital of Churachandpur Medical College, he added.

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