Acute water shortage hits Imphal residents
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Geetchandra Loitongbam

Imphal, December 22 2011: With the employees of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) discontinuing the supply of water to the general public, in protest against the killing of the Chawkidar of Irilbung Water Supply and his son, the people of the state particularly those in Imphal area are facing acute water shortage.

Meanwhile, water tankers which normally provide water to a number of households in Imphal city have increased the rate to double the normal rate.

A 10 litre bottle of water which normally costs Rs 5 has now been increased to Rs 10, thereby leading to substantial increase in family budget of the common people.

When Hueiyen Lanpao conducted a survey of Imphal city regarding the increase in the cost of carrier charge, it was found that a rickshaw which used to charge Rs 50 for carrying 12 bottles of water are now charging Rs 120.Auto rickshaws which used to charge Rs 100 for carrying 300 litres of water are now chargng Rs 150 and a water tanker with a capacity of 12,000 litres of water which used to cost Rs 600 is now pegged at Rs 1000.Moreover, the source of the water is either from the Imphal or Iril River.

The water from these rivers is pumped up onto the tanker.

From there the water is directly delivered to the public without any sort of purification whatsoever threatening the health of the people.

A water tanker driver told Hueiyen Lanpao that ever since the PHE department has stopped providing safe drinking water to the people, the demand for water has increased.

The water from the rivers is being provided to the public according to the wishes of the public.

The question of health safety is their concern.

Regarding the increase in price of water, he said that it is due to unavailability of fuel in the market.

As soon as the fuel is easily available, the rate of water will also come down.

Ever since the PHE Department stopped supplying water, all the water supply schemes in the state have also ceased to function.

The people are facing indescribable problems from shortage of safe drinking water and there are apprehensions that various health problems might creep up due to the use of unsafe drinking water.

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