Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 25:
The implementation of the ambitious water supply scheme for Lamka town which have been in the news since 2002 is progressing at a slow and tortuous pace.
Even though about 40% of the materials required including Ductile Cast Iron(DI) pipes have already arrived in about 60 trucks, the actual execution of the project is yet to start on the ground due to various problems, including security concerns.
A reliable source from the PHED here today disclosed that even though the time line given originally for the project was to start and complete the scheme during the period from April 2004 till September 2005, it is already running behind schedule and it may be finished by March next year, if everything goes as planned.
The project, estimated to cost about Rs 23 crores is to be funded from the Non Lapseble Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR).
The Construction and Design Services, Uttar Pradesh, Jaal Nigam-Ghaziabad, will execute the project.
Under the scheme, Lamka town is divided into three zones and drinking water for the entire town will be taken from three separate sources.
While Tuibuong, Sielmat, Zo Colony and some parts of Zenhang Lamka are classified under Zone One and water for the localities taken from Koite and Lokchao rivers, the entire western half of the town with Tedim Road as the dividing line will be under Zone Two and the water will be obtained from Lanva river.
The existing water treatment plant at Bungmual will be upgraded under this particular scheme, it said.
Under Zone Three, water of the Tuitha river (Khuga) will be utilized to supply drinking water to the entire eastern half the town.
The success of this scheme will depend to a large extent on the success of the Khuga Project, it added.
During the Chief Minister's visit to the town on 19 January, he and some top security officials had visited the sites to search suitable locations for setting up security posts.
It may be mentioned that none of the officials of the executing agency are arriving here yet, in view of the law and order problems.
The Chief Secretary had also reportedly asked the concerned officials here to give him a progress report on the project every fifteen days.
The source also said that the DI pipes to be used for the project are much more superior in quality than the CI Pipes previously laid from the Khuga river.