Waithoupat water supply scheme inaugurated

Imphal, Aug 19 (DIPR)
“When we execute our works with sincerity and dedication, the State would develop rapidly”, stated Chief Minister N Biren at the inaugural function of the Augmentation of Water Supply Scheme for Thoubal (Waithoupat), Thoubal district today.
Speaking as chief guest of the function, the Chief Minister stated that since its installation, the Government has been focusing on sectors like education, health and water supply. He mentioned that the inauguration of Waithoupat water supply project is one of the biggest achievements of the Government.
He appreciated the PHE Minister, Chief Engineer and officials of PHE Department for completing the construction work in such a short duration.
The Chief Minister announced that under the Jal Jeevan Mission of the Jal Shakti Ministry, the State Government had submitted a detailed project report (DPR) amounting to Rs 2600 crore. The New Development Bank has approved and sanctioned an amount of around Rs 2900 crore for executing the said mission.
The State Government has already taken steps for conservation and restoration of water bodies and wetlands of the State. A total of around Rs 22-25 lakh has been earmarked in the budget for restoration of some lakes, he added.
He mentioned that Green Manipur Mission was launched to protect and develop forests in the State and also to encourage citizens to plant more trees.
“Water bodies would dry up if we don’t protect and develop forests. Around 235 villages have approached the Government that they are willing to provide at least five acres of land for development of forest under the mission”, he said.
Clarifying on the death of Babysana, a student of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, the Chief Minister said that the Government is making all possible efforts to arrest the culprits.
He stated that the police have arrested all the suspected persons, autopsy was done twice with video coverage, and section 302 of IPC was later included in the case. The State Government had requested the CBI to take over the case and for the time being, an independent Special Investigation Team was formed for investigation of the case under the supervision of Chief Minister’s office and investigation is under process.
He mentioned that the protesters, JAC, Meira Paibis etc can access any documents and orders related to the case from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.
Minister for PHE Losii Dikho said that to provide drinking water to all the people of the State is the priority of the present Government.
Mentioning that water conservation is a must, the Minister said that it is the duty and responsibility of all to conserve water.
Dikho said that it is the long cherished dream of the Government that the Waithoupat Water Supply scheme would provide drinking water in Thoubal area.
The project cost for construction of Waithoupat Water Supply Scheme is Rs 44.21 crore with a capacity of 18 MLD.
The scheme would provide drinking water to Thoubal and its surrounding areas. It may be mentioned that the implementing agency M/S Keystone Infra Pvt. Ltd. had started the construction work in July, 2016.
Member of Parliament Dr Lorho S Pfoze, MLA of Wangkhem AC K Meghachandra, Commissioner PHE Nidhi Kesarwani, Secretary to CM Ningthoujam Geoffrey, DC and SP of Thoubal district, Chief Engineer (PHE) H Sunil Singh, officials of PHE and others attended the function.