Khurkhul residents reel under drinking water shortage
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 23 2015: Residents of Khurkhul, about 14 kilometres away from the State Capital, in Imphal West district are reeling under acute shortage of drinking water, thanks to the alleged apathy of the authorities concerned to address the crisis over the years.

Once a bustling and progressive locality when the Loitang Khunou Spinning Mill was fully functional, the locality has now been seemingly forgotten.

It is now reeling under scarcity of drinking water, one of the basic human needs.

Locals have aired their grievances when The Sangai Express went to the place.

Heikham Premchandra, general secretary of Young Pioneer Club, Khurkhul Makha Leikai said most of the residents have no access to drinking water supply.

Khurkhul residents reel under drinking water shortage

People of the locality have no option but to depend on ponds, nearby river or wells to get drinking water, he said.

Ironically, not all the households of the locality are covered by a water supply scheme set up in the vicinity, he added.

Premchandra further said that the water which the locals get through the water supply scheme is not hygienic.

Pointing out that the locals are reeling under acute shortage of water for the past about ten years, he categorically questioned the wisdom and competency of the Govt in addressing the crisis over the years.

The villagers have almost completed construction of tanks and reservoirs on their own, the local club leader said.

Besides the drinking water scarcity, the villagers have another reason to lament.

The Sekmai-Khurkhul-Lamshang inter-village road is in a pathetic condition.

Premchandra decried that developmental projects in the area have been neglected by the local MLA.

The fact that construction of road, which was initiated some ten years back, remains incomplete till now testifies the incompetence of the elected leader, he said.

Although a power house is there in the vicinity, locals get power supply for just one hour in a day, Premchandra rued, adding, it would be prudent if power supply in the locality is lengthened for a few hours daily in the interest of the students.

It was very unfortunate that people of Khurkhul have no access to drinking water supply and power supply even as there is a water supply plant and power house in the locality, he said.

He urged elected representatives of the area to do the needful in solving the endemic problems faced by the people.

Khangembam Dhanapati, pradhan of Khurkhul GP said that farmers of the area faced problem due to lack of irrigation facility.

The breaking of a dam at Leimakhong recently has inconvenienced the farmers.

Repeated pleas to repair the dam fell on deaf ears, she added.

Locals also raised strong opposition to the alleged move to include parts of Khurkhul within the jurisdiction of Sadar Hills.

They said that any move to include parts and parcel of Khurkhul within Sadar Hills will be opposed tooth and nail.