Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Saturday launched the Swachhata Hi Seva programme, with the theme Garbage Free India, in the state and said that waste water from 72 drains will be trapped and treated at Heirangoithong Waste Treatment Plant.
As a prelude to Swachh Bharat Diwas, the annual Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) fortnight, being jointly organised by Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and Grameen between September 15 to October 2, was launched on Friday by Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh.
Addressing the function, the chief minister said under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachhata Hi Sewa campaign, the country has witnessed a big difference in the country’s rivers, lake, municipality areas, etc, during the past nine years. He said various schemes have also been introduced in the state, including the Nambul River Rejuvenation Project.
Biren said that waste water from 72 drains will be trapped and treated at Heirangoithong Waste Treatment Plant before releasing it to the river. The state has already received the technical clearance for similar projects for Imphal River and Kongba River from the Centre and that two other projects for Moirang River and left out portion of Nambol River are in the consideration stage, he added.
The chief minister said that four more projects for Thoubal River, Chakpi River, Moreh River, Heirok River are in the DPR stage. Keeping Manipur clean and hygienic is the collective responsibility of the people, he said and called on all including meira paibis, students, local clubs, panchayat level to join the fortnight long campaign till October 2 to keep the environment clean.
He expressed the need for unity among all sections of the society including government officials, general public, elected members in making Manipur a lively State by taking part in tree plantation drives, safeguarding water bodies, etc.
Biren said that the tender process for Lamphelpat Project is already complete and dredging work will commence in the first phase. Expressing serious concern on the lack of rainfall and the ecological imbalance, he also spoke on the need for rain water harvesting, tree plantation, safeguarding forest cover. He further mulled the idea of making it mandatory for all households to harvest rainwater.
There is also another long-time plan project in the pipeline to create reservoirs by bringing water through pipes from the Loktak Project, he added.
Also, pointing out the crisis situation facing the state, the chief minister said, “We are passing through a difficult time. With the support and cooperation of people including civil societies and others we are on the path to bring understanding among the communities and towards peace.”
Further stating that efforts are on to find a solution and bring peace at the earliest, he sought further support of the people and blessings from God. He said that the public must have also witnessed the opening of national highways, deployment of security forces in sensitive areas, and efforts to ensure availability of essential commodities in all districts.
Biren also said that starting from October, the government is planning to resume the six-day working week and there will be no holidays on Saturdays. He said that in the last six or so years, Manipur had achieved so much with the support of the people. But due to the unfortunate crisis, the state has lost some three-four months, he said, adding that to make up for this, there is a need for government employees to put in more effort.
“Despite the loss, we need not be disheartened, now the situation is improving and will be normalised very soon,” he said, expressing confidence. Biren also stressed on the role of MAHUD as the nodal agency to work with DCs, local clubs, municipality, ADCs, NGOs to make a Clean Manipur and Clean India.
The launching of Swachhata Hi Seva organised by Municipal Administration, Housing and Urban Development (MAHUD) was also attended by chief secretary Vineet Joshi, Administrative Secretaries, HoDs among others. District deputy commissioners also virtually joined the launching programme.
