Y Khemchand flags off exposure tour of 30 SHGs

IMPHAL, Nov 9
MAHUD and RD&PR Minister Y Khemchand Singh on Thursday flagged off an exposure tour for 30 Women Self Help Group (SHG) from the City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, Imphal.
 The tour was jointly organised by the State Mission Directorates of AMRUT and DAY-NULM Manipur, in association with PHED, Manipur as a part of the celebration of "Jal Diwali" held under the initiative of "Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign" launched by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affair, Government of India, said a release issued by N Benju Singh, Chief Town Planner/ State Mission Director AMRUT 2.0.
Speaking on the occasion, Y Khemchand Singh stated that women play a very important role in micro-management of water at household level and if they are familiarized with the functioning of the water treatment plants and how clean & safe water is provided to the cities, a platform for inclusion of women in water governance can be created.
He continued that water is the key to prosperity and the "Women for Water, Water for Women Campaign" highlights this aspect.
At the Chingkheiching WTP, the women SHG members were warmly welcomed by officials of State Mission Directorates AMRUT & DAY-NULM and PHED, Manipur.
N Benju Singh highlighted that the objective of AMRUT and subsequently AMRUT 2.0 is to provide 24x7 water supply thereby achieving water secure cities.
"The AMRUT mission objective can be achieved if we use the treated water supplied from WTPs exclusively for kitchen uses and restrict its usage for other purposes like washing, flushing, construction activities etc. Further, the initiative can be supported by the installation of Smart Water Meters in every household and recycling of used/ grey water through introduction of dual piping system", he added.
He also pointed out that since there is limited source of water, there is an acute need for rain water harvesting at individual, community and State levels.
Th Bebina Devi, SE (Urban), PHED Manipur led the officials of PHED in briefing the SHG members and tour of the various facilities and machineries of Chingkheiching WTP.
The Plant was commissioned in February 2023 and has a capacity of 45.00 MLD. It will cater to a population of approximately 2,94,000.
At the Porompat WTP, M Joy Singh, Commissioner (MAHUD), Government of Manipur exhorted that the demand for natural resources increase with the ever increasing population.
"Water being a very important natural resource, its wise management is extremely necessary. Hence, wastage of treated water is to be encouraged. In this regard, women play a vital role. It is with that objective, the exposure tour under Jal Diwali is organized", he added.
The Commissioner also handed over souvenirs to the women SHG members who had participated in the tour.
The officials of PHED at Porompat WTP site took the women for a tour of the Plant and demonstrated various facilities installed there.
Porompat WTP was commissioned in March 2020 and has a capacity of 9.53 MLD. It will cater to a population of approximately 65,000.