Every household in Manipur to get tap water by 2022: Losii Dikho

Our Correspondent
Guwahati, Sep 16: Water connection for every households in Manipur would be achieved by 2022, said PHE Minister Losii Dikho during a one-day conference of 'PHED Ministers of North-Eastern States on Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)' held at Guwahat.
The conference chaired by Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawatji was attended by  PHED Ministers from all the North Eastern states along with senior officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
Speaking on the occasion, Dikho stated that under Jal Jeevan Mission & Swachh Bharat Mission many people oriented projects have been implemented while adding that the Government of Manipur under the leadership of CM Biren Singh is well committed to the mission “Har Ghar Jal”.
The Government is committed to provide tap water connection to 4,51,566 rural households with 2,976 habitations wherein 52% has been achieved till today, he added.
The mission is funded from three different sources: JJM funding will cover 1,74,242 household costing Rs 1043.11 crore; NDB/EAP funding will cover 2,60,438 household costing Rs 1538.86 crore; and under other fundings will cover 16,886 household costing Rs 50 crore. So far, Manipur has achieved 2,37,686 households (52.64%) and are hopeful to achieve the mission by 2022, the Minister asserted.
He continued that the Manipur Government has inaugurated 85 Water Supply Schemes under JJM and others schemes including 6 schemes in the inspirational Chandel district. In respect of Chandel district, all the six inaugurated schemes were for villages which are located in remote areas near the Indo-Myanmar international border where communication is difficult due to terrain and rain. Moreover, another 48 Water Supply Schemes will be inaugurated in the months of September and October, 2021.
"The ongoing projects progress slowed down since April, 2021 due to the second wave of Covid-19 and related curfew imposed by the State Government but the department is trying its best for maximum progress in execution of work."
"Other challenging issues included hilly terrain, accessibility problem and landslide but the PHE officials are working day and night for providing household connection even to the smallest & remotest village", he said.
Dikho also mentioned that with regard to the 100 days mission for providing tap connection to school, Anganwadi and Ashramshala (residential schools in tribal areas), the State has achieved 92.30 % in school and 91.09 % in Anganwadi.
Under Swachh Bharat Mission (G) Phase-II, Manipur PHED has constructed 4 units of Solid Waste Management, 16 units of Liquid Waste Management and 17 units of Plastic Waste Management.
The PHE Minister concluded by seeking more funds from the Ministry of Jal Shakti based on the abnormal increase in the cost of pipe due to increase in the cost of steel.