Expert studies Nambul water treatment project
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 20 2014 : Even as an expert conducted field study about the feasibility of taking up a project for treatment of Nambul river water and Waishel Maril water before they fall into Loktak Lake, the time frame set by Manipur Pollution Control Board (MPCB) for installation of incinerators at district hospitals has expired.

Speaking to media persons at his Secretariat office this afternoon, MPCB Chairman MLA Dr Ng Bijoy said that California-based waste water treatment expert Dr Sachi Majumdar yesterday examined water of Nambul river as well as Waishel Maril.

In view of the high pollution level of Nambul river and Waishel Maril, the Government envisaged a plan to treat the polluted water before it falls into Loktak Lake.

Wastes dumped at Nambul river

Noting that water of Naga river, a tributary of Nambul river, is smelly and blackish in colour, Dr Bijoy said that a place of public recreation would be developed in addition to treatment of the polluted water of Nambul river.

Dr Majumdar told the media that a detailed project report for converting the polluted water of Nambul river and Waishel Maril into clean water would be prepared by the end of the current year.

Although it was agreed between MPCB and Imphal Municipal Council to ban plastics thicker than 40 microns, nothing has been done in this regard.

Nevertheless, the CM has been consulted to enact a legislation which can effectively ban plastics thicker than 40 microns, Dr Bijoy said.

To dispose off biomedical wastes churned out from hospitals, all district hospitals were asked to install incinerators within three months but even after three months have passed away, no incinerators have been installed with the exception of Thoubal district hospital.

It appears that the firms/individuals who supplied the incinerators a long time back would not be able to install the equipment if they are asked to do so now.

Stating that installation of mobile towers on roof tops and within residential compounds poses health risks to children, Dr Bijoy said that the Government has initiated certain measures to ensure mobile towers are installed only after obtaining permission from MPCB.

He further informed that surveys are going out to find out the extent of health problems caused by garbage and brick farms.