Water shortage looms as...Strife impedes Jal Jeevan Mission
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, January 04 2024:
In Manipur, the ambitious goal of extending safe drinking water to 4.5 lakh households by this year under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), has hit a staggering roadblock due to the conflict stretching over eight months.
Launched in 2019 with a budget of Rs 3,137.42 crore and predominantly funded by the Central Government (90 per cent), the JJM implementation is stuck at 77 per cent, struggling to overcome the hurdle posed by the ongoing ethnic conflict.
Shangreiphao Vashum-wo, Chief Engineer of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), shed light on the disruptive impact of the conflict, which has impeded the timely supply of crucial materials needed for the project's execution.
The conflict has severely hampered the momentum of the project, obstructing material transportation from outside the State, mentioned Vashumwo, emphasizing the acute challenges encountered due to these disruptions.
Logistical difficulties in conflict zones hinder the establishment of Village Water and Sanitation Committees, crucial for comprehensive rural coverage, further delaying onground implemen- tation, Vashumwo said.
Despite serving Imphal and its environs, requiring 124 MLD (million litres per day) of water daily, through 17 water treatment plants, disruptions in conflict-affected zones like Kangchup, Kangchup extension, and Potshangbam-II, coupled with the sabotage at the Singda treatment plant's pipeline, have severely curtailed water supply.
Vashumwo expressed determination to reinitiate work in these conflict areas by engaging local youth from neutral communities on contractual terms and complete pipeline replacements and smart meter installations by mid-year to enhance water distribution efficiency.
The scarcity of Government-supplied water forced households to rely on private vendors, purchasing approximately 5000 liters monthly at Rs 350 per 1000 liters�an exorbitant expense.
He expressed concerns about the safety of water procured too.
Collaborative efforts involving Governmental bodies, community engagement, and strategic interventions are pivotal to surmounting these obstacles and ensuring the timely completion of this critical project, he added.
Tourangbam Brajakumar, in-charge Director of Environment and Climate Change Department highlighted a looming crisis arising from the drying up of springs and the disappearance of wetlands, contributing significantly to the State's water scarcity issue.
Brajakumar stressed the necessity of a Governmental policy focusing on spring revival and effective water allocation management to avert an acute potable water shortage.
While regions like Rajasthan and Delhi, with minimal annual rainfall (200mm and 400mm respectively), maintain sufficient water supply throughout the year, Manipur, receiving 1600mm annual rainfall, grapples with water scarcity, stated Brajakumar.
Nearly 62 per cent of springs in the State have dried up, he said while underscoring the urgency to implement spring revival policy to alleviate the water crisis.
Highlighting the critical role of wetlands in environmental purification, Brajakumar said that a drastic reduction in the number of wetlands contributed significantly to the adverse climatic conditions prevailing in the State.
To tackle this issue, the department is actively engaged in rejuvenating existing wetlands to mitigate the escalating environmental challenges, he added.