The monsoon rain is indeed welcome and farmers are cheering despite the fear and tension of militants taking pot-shots at them. Indeed, the special measures taken up by the state to provide security to the farmers working in the fields seem to be bearing fruit in several places in the periphery of the valley. At least, we can hope for some production from the paddy fields this year. The previous years had been quite disappointing with erratic rainfall and scarcity of fertilisers when farmers had to run from pillar to post.
Well, let us hope for the best and pray that the ethnic tension is put to rest when the harvesting season arrives. Now, the basic problem is of clogged drains of Imphal city. The drains in Imphal overflow and water runs in the streets after a few hours of rain hitting traffic flow and causing tremendous inconveniences to the general public. In recent times, the government has been reclaimed by the Pats for building housing colonies and other structures and the basic purpose of such low lying areas has been defeated. And the width and depth of the drains on main roads and lanes has been greatly reduced.
For main roads, the width of the roadside drains have been reduced to one metre with a depth of one metre while that of the drains in lanes to one and half feet. One may say that, in the olden days the main roads and lanes were narrow, and that most parts of the drains had to be filled up for creating wider roads and lanes. The narrow and shallow drains with covers coupled with the change in the character of garbage have clogged the drains.
A major waste material which stands out in present times is plastic wrappers, bottles big and small, and other non-degradable items. As the drains are mostly covered, there is practically no hope of daily maintenance by any concerned citizen. So, considering the increase in population and changing nature of waste material, it is necessary to widen the drains by asking people to part with portions of land for a greater cause. Of course, there is the Land Acquisition Act. For which, one must acquire the political will to do so.
For a valley which once had a perfect drainage system and waterways in the past, the present drainage system is a joke on our forefathers. The ancient Puya ‘Tutenglon’ speaks of a drainage system which leads to the major rivers or rivulets leading to the Loktak Lake and further through Manipur River into the Chindwin River or the Barak system. Major research works have been done on the waterway system which was prevalent in ancient times.
Trade and transportation were mostly dependent on the waterway system. Nobody reads the ancient Puyas which happens to be the treasure trove of knowledge passed down the centuries and the research works on the Puyas anymore. And now, let us talk about the drainage system of Imphal. Fifty years back, the drains on both sides of the major roads were about 3-5 metres, and in the lanes 1-2 metres and flash floods were virtually unknown in those days.
Come what may, the drains were never clogged and excess water was drained out through the Nambul River and the Naga River which passes through the heart of Imphal. Lamphelpat and Takyelpat were low lying areas where the excess water of Nambul is stored for some time to prevent floods which again drain out after the river level comes down. Other rivers also have such temporary depositories. Nambul River was listed among the 350 most polluted rivers selected by the Government of India from across the country. It was so polluted, filthy and stinky that people dare venture into the river.
Around 72 drains and canals fall into the Nambul River. These drains and canals discharge effluents as well as solid wastes into the river. As such, they are the primary sources for pollution of the Nambul River. The most polluted and filthiest section of Nambul River is from Iroishemba to Heirangoithong.
