IMPHAL, February 27: “There are 1805 functional water supply schemes and around 21 schemes currently defunct in the State at present,” PHE minister, I Hemochandra stated during today’s question hour on the fourth day of the Assembly session.
In the supplementary question raised by Andro MLA Th Shyamkumar inquiring that some water supply schemes are properly funded by the state government and some appears not to be funded and hence defunct. He asserted that the main issue is also the leakage in the water main pipe and wasted unnecessarily.
He said that this leakage needs to be checked and repaired for effective public water supply.
Shyamkumar further inquired that for some water supply schemes, the government has provided for the construction of storage tanks and pipe alignment in an annual basis but the construction work has not been effective as follow up constructions and laying of further pipelines are needed.
He asked whether the needed infrastructure cannot be tendered at the same time to properly complete the project scheme, once and for all.
The minister in concern, Irengbam Hemochandra said that the suggestion of the MLA will be looked upon.
He further stated that the PHED is constrained due to lack of funds and hence the newly implemented water supply schemes are not functional in totality.
He notified that another main reason for failure of water supply schemes is due to the unavailability of an abundant water source near the implemented scheme.
Hemochandra said that during last five to ten years, due to excessive deforestation in the hill areas, water sources are continually drying up. At present, the PHE department is trying its best level to provide potable water to the public, he added.