IMPHAL, February 27: Even though the Leimaram-Irangbam Water Supply Scheme construction was completed more than two years ago, people of the area still cannot get the benefit of it due to non`“availability of pipelines.
This issue was raised in the House today by opposition MLA Dr I Ibohalbi Singh as an agenda under the heading `a discussion on the need to provide pipes for supplying water from Leimaram-Irengbam water supply scheme,`™ during the discussion on a matter of public interest.
He further informed the House that the work for the Leimaram-Irengbam Water Supply Scheme started in the year 2008 after sending a detailed project report (DPR) to the DoNER Ministry.
The sanction was given by the Ministry according to the DPR on February 5, 2009 and the State PHED started the work in February 8, 2010.
The two acres land needed for the scheme was also donated by an individual however the PHED is now acting as the owner of the land, he said.
The construction work of the scheme completed in 2013 however, due to the non-availability of the 5.57 kilometres long 1.25 mm pipes the villagers still could not get the water from the scheme.
According to the officials the amount sanctioned by the DoNER Ministry was not enough to buy the pipes, he added.
Replying the MLA, PHED Minister I Hemochandra Singh said that the department does not have 1.25 mm pipes in its store but have other sizes of pipes in plenty.
This particular pipe size is needed for that scheme and to buy it will cost around Rs 60 to 65 lakh, the Minister informed.
This amount could not be including in the financial year 2014-15 which will end on March 31 due to lack of funds. However, the government will try to include in the financial year 2015-16 which will begin from April 1, the Minister clarified.
Even though the State`™s share in the scheme is only 10 percent due to the lack of fund the scheme failed to complete, he added.