Potable water shortage grips Loktak islet
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 30 2014 : Even though a particular Minister affirmed during a television interview that if the need arises water from the Loktak lake would be drawn up to supply potable water in Imphal and Greater Imphal areas, the problem of drinking water shortage is no different at Thanga, an islet on the Loktak Lake.

Taking into account hardships besetting people of Thanga the local MLA T Mangibabu today not only assessed the prevailing situation but initiated necessary steps to supply potable water through water tanker service in those areas where the problem is most acute.

Accompanied by the PHED Bishnupur district Executive Engineer O Meino and the Department's Moirang sub-division Assistant Engineer L Gokulchandra, MLA Mangibabu covered different locations of Thanga assembly segment today.

Noting that the local pond at Moirang Khunou Awang, that serves as the main source of drinking water for the locals, has virtually dried up owing shortage of rainfall, the MLA said potable water would be supplied to the people through water tankers at the earliest.

He also interacted and assured the local populace all possible assistance to ameliorate their hardships as water level of the local ponds in Moirang Khunou Maning and Mamang Leikais as well as Keibul Lamjao Makha Leikai were also found to be very low.

Talking to the accompanying media persons, Mangibabu claimed that the State Government is fully aware of the existing situation in the State and has undertake relevant steps to ensure that the people do not suffer any further.

Stating that purpose of his visit was to assess severity of the water shortage problem within Thanga AC, the MLA said in some specific locations of the assembly segment community pond water stock replenishment activities have already started with 50-50 expenditure borne by him and the locals.

While water from available sources would be drawn to maintain suitable level of water in the local ponds for areas where facility to replenish the ponds is not available water tankers would be pressed into service to redress the problem, he said.

Regarding Keibul Lamjao area, the MLA said arrangement would be made at the earliest to draw water from the Loktak Lake besides informing that locality level water management committees of Thanga AC would be formed to streamline the water distribution system in collaboration with PHED officials.

He also sought the cooperation of the people in his sincere endeavour to redress problem of drinking water shortage.

According to EE O Meino, officials/personnel of PHED Bishnupur district have already assessed and identified several locations in the six assembly constituencies of the district and consequently provisioned three water tankers for each of the ACs to undertake water supply activities.

Stating that the emergency arrangement might continue for atleast a month, he said the Department will supply alum, bleaching powder and lime to those areas where community ponds have been recently refilled to ensure no water borne disease breaks out.

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