IMC set for expansion
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 24 2011: In view of the relatively small area of Imphal city, hectic considerations are being made to upgrade Imphal Municipal Council to Imphal Municipal Corporation by adding some new wards so that development programmes can be initiated at a wider scale.

This was stated by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi while discussing demands in the State Assembly today.

Admitting that development programmes are more focused in Municipality area, the Chief Minister claimed stringent monitoring is being done to expedite and check quality of different development programmes being undertaken by PDA, JNURM, IFC, PWD and other agencies.

Reminding that Imphal city is one among the 63 mission cities selected under JNURM, Ibobi stated development projects on Naga rivulet, Nambul river, solid waste management and drainage systems are being taken up on priority basis in accordance to guidelines of the Ministry.

Regarding the problem of Khwairamband street vendors, the Chief Minister stated that a team of experts from Manipur University had conducted a survey.

The Govt is checking compatibility of the photographs included in the survey report with the street vendors.

Those found compatible with the survey report would be treated as genuine street vendors, Ibobi stated.

Taking part in the discussion, PHE Minister TN Haokip stated that Manipur is a state facing water crisis.

To tackle this crisis effectively, it demands proper coordination between PHED, Forest and Environment Department, IFCD and Power Department.

There has been no let up in felling trees despite Government instructions against it.

There is also the rising need to supplant jhum cultivation with cultivation of cash crops.

So far, the PHED has identified 233 treatment plants and the department has put up a proposal to the State Cabinet to conserve these treatment plants.

With the Cabinet approving the Dept's proposal, a detail project report is being prepared, TN Haokip informed the House.

In case these treatment plants are not conserved properly, Manipur would be facing acute shortage of water after some years, he cautioned.

Stating that water pipes installed in treatment plants located at Imphal and greater Imphal area are ageing, TN Haokip iterated that efforts are being made to replace these ageing pipes with new ones phase by phase in a manner which would be acceptable to the Government of India.

The Dept has also been looking into the feasibility of tapping water from Barak river from Purul area and diverting this water to Imphal river.

He also claimed that the Dept has been conducting house to house survey in order to check unauthorised connections.

Agriculture Minister Ph Parijat claimed that Manipur has succeeded in producing highest number of high yielding variety of crops in the entire country.

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