Drinking water scarcity has hit several parts of Imphal. There is no water in the pipe. The situation is really alarming. Questions are being asked what PHED doing is. Without water nobody can survive. A pitiable scene is seen everywhere. Women of all ages move with buckets in hand for collection of water. Family fabric has been shattered as male and female clash over the non availability of water. Yet amazingly the concerned department is showing least concern to the problems caused by drinking water scarcity. The attention of the top executive of the state is drawn to look into the matter. It seems the department is in the dark not knowing as to how the problems can be solved. Those living near the major rivers like Imphal River and Iril River are lucky they can survive with the water collected from the river. Those at Uripok and other places like Thangmeiband, Keishamthong, Keishampat, Sagolband have put the hands on head not knowing what to do. It seems the water level at Singda has reduced. One can imagine the problems facing the other areas when drinking water scarcity has occurred at Uripok. The low lying area at Uripok continued to receive drinking water regularly through pipe. But that had changed in the past two of three weeks. Explanation is sought from the concerned department as and when it will start giving water regularly. Does the cessation of water supply have anything to do with the deterioration in the water level at Singda? If not when will normal water supply start? One must lesson from what one has seen and efforts must be paid to increase the number of water bodies. The habit of khas land being used in the construction of office building or community hall or crematorium must be stopped. The vacant land can be used for water preservation. Our MLAs give more attention in the construction of crematorium and community hall not in the preservation of water bodies. Where there exist ponds have been replaced by multi storied buildings. Everyone it seems is crazy about community feasting or in arranging chakkouba after marriage. The talk is about the taste of food only. No one speaks out boldly against the non availability of drinking water. Some two decades back a newspaper published a cartoon, which depicted six different countries hit by water scarcity. It said while in India executive class enjoyed well arranged party when the situation caused by water scarcity was alarming in communist country the executive class faced court martial. More punishment was mooted depending upon the nature of problem. Manipur continues to face water scarcity during dry season. It happens every year. Yet we do not learn anything from what we have seen. A change for the betterment is called for. It will not happen until the department concerned realise what it should do. Amazingly some of the engineers in the department have become crorepati after the start of sewerage project. They are not scared of showing money power in the locality where they are living. They have bought land and building worth cores of rupees. Try to utilise these engineers and ask them how scarcity will be solved. Something will surely come out of it. What is required is the initiative.
Read more / Original news source: http://manipur-mail.com/drinking-water-scarcity-hits-imphal/
