Imphal: Chief Minister of Manipur, N Biren Singh Tuesday chaired an emergency meeting called to review the present problem of water scarcity in urban areas of Imphal viz. Uripok, Thangmeiband, Keisamthong, Sagolband, Wangkhei, etc. arising out of repairing works taken up in the Singda Dam and drying up of other sources.
During the meeting, it was decided that a Sub Committee would be constituted which would be headed by Administrative Secretary (Water Resources) with PCCF, Administrative Secretary (PHED), Engineer-in-Chief (Water Resources), Chief Engineer (Water Resources), Chief Engineer (PHED), Director (MAHUD) Executive Engineer (PHED-Maintenance Division-II) and DIG Range I as members. The Committee would conduct a survey of water scarcity areas and recommend and monitor steps for meeting the shortage.
It was also decided that Imphal Barrage would be shut down until the situation improves; water from Dolaithabi Barrage would be released to Iril River; dredging of riverbeds/dams would be taken up by Water Resources Department; PHED would deploy an adequate number of water tankers by hiring from private agencies, etc.; commissioning of Chingkheiching Water Supply Project would be expedited; Water Resources Department would examine feasibility of constructing multiple low-level barrages on Imphal River, Iril River, Thoubal River and Kongba River; feasibility of conserving river water during the monsoon through more effective engineering mechanisms such as interlinking of rivers etc. would be explored and scope for utilising the water of Barak River would also be explored. The Chief Minister further instructed all concerned to take up the matter on top priority.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister, Y Joykumar; Minister (PHE) Losii Dikho; Chief Secretary and senior officers of Water Resources and PHE Department.
