Imphal, January 05: Stating that the numerous unauthorised connections from the main water supply pipelines are responsible for polluting the water supplied in the city, PHED Minister K Govindas Konthoujam today informed that all necessary measures have been taken up on a war footing in the Imphal and Greater Imphal areas for repairing the damaged portions of the main line.

Talking to The Sangai Express at his office, K Govindas, while appealing to the public not to make any unauthorised connection from the main water supply pipe line further urged the local clubs as well as the NGOs to help in preventing unathorised connections from the main pipe line.

He also said that these unathorised connections will become the source of numerous water borne disease in future as they are left open and neglected after use.

He also informed that PHED has not been able to take up water awareness programmes for the last 4/5 years following the sudden closure of HRD Cell in the State by the Central Govt.He however said that plans are on for restarting the awareness programmes under the newly Central sponsored scheme Information, Education and Communication (IEC).

On being asked why Imphal Barrage has not been closed till today when people living on the banks of Imphal River are facing shortage of water, Govindas said that the closure of Imphal Barrage has been delayed as repairing works are still going on at the banks of the Imphal river.

He however said that IFCD and the PHED officials are doing everything within its means to redress the woes of the public and further said that an intimation has been sent to the IFCD Minister Phungzathang Tonsing to take necessary steps so that the barrage can be closed within the next ten days.

Repairing works are currently underway at six different places on the left bank of the Upper Stream of the Imphal Barrage after large portions of the bank caved in.

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