Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) lashed out at the N Biren-led government of Manipur for its failure to make a comprehensive master plan for water management for drinking and domestic purposes.
Negligence and untimely utilisation of the Imphal Barrage is the main reason for drying up of the Imphal river, which is the main intake source for many water supply schemes of Manipur, alleged MPCC spokesperson O Joy while speaking to the media on World Water Day, Monday in Imphal.
Following the drying up of Imphal River, the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) has started floating notifications for temporary stopping of the normal water supply under different water supply schemes in valley areas.
Joy said when the rest of the world is moving ahead with sustainable ways of water management, it is unfortunate that the state government is taking up the strategy of water management only in newspaper advertisement with the “Jal Jeevan Mission” tag.
Lauding the present state government’s effort of cleaning the Nambul river, he said, “Focusing only on cleaning Nambul river will not be able to manage the water issue of the state.
The government should keep in mind that there are some few channels or water systems in the greater Imphal area which are left unattended such as Chandra Nadi, YCL basin, Kumba water system and Naga basin, he added.
Pointing out that the rivers which are drying now will overflow in the rainy season, he questioned, “Has the government taken up any plan and measures to prevent overflow of river waters and breaching of river banks?”
The Congress spokesperson asserted that water is the most essential element needed for the survival of a living being and many experts have even predicted that the world will be soon at war over water.
Joy, on behalf of the MPCC and especially the people of Manipur, appealed to the state government to develop a proper policy for water management starting from investigating the nature of the rivers in Manipur.
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