Disjointed ‘ductile iron pipes’ connecting the reservoir with the treatment plant as seen during the inspection on Saturday, September 3 below the Old Peren Road at New Chumukedima village.
DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 4 (MExN): Minister for Public Health & Engineering Dr. Ngangshi K. Ao made an on-spot inspection of PHED infrastructure recently damaged by landslides at NH 29 on Saturday, September 3. The minister was accompanied by PHE secretary Zaleo Rio, chief engineer of the department Mhondamo Ovung, and executive engineer (Urban Division), Dimapur T. Imtiakum.
The departmental team along with the minister visited PHE’s drinking water treatment plant at New Chumukedima village and the nearby reservoir feeding water to the plant. This drinking water project went into service in 2002, envisioned to supply potable water to Dimapur and Chumukedima. The team also visited some stone quarries beyond the village believed to be one of the main reasons behind large-scale inundation of silt in the periphery of the reservoir which had badly damaged the old Peren Road as well as fertile farmland alongside the road.
According to villagers of New Chumukedima village, huge deposits of sediments have destroyed a large area of farmland. The damage was evident as the silt deposits have reached up to the span of an old bridge built over a stream known to the villagers as ‘Hekhaperu’. A few years back the bridge stood over eight feet above the river bed. Now, the stream is completely inundated by sediments and its water flowing over the bridge.
Department officials inferred that random and rampant quarrying up the said stream is one of the main contributing factors. Further, removal of stone boulders from the river bed, which feeds the reservoir, during the dry season, has damaged the natural balance of the river. Taking opportunity of the visit, the villagers aired their grievances to the minister.
The monsoon rains has also damaged the main water pipeline from the reservoir to the treatment plant which was also inspected, besides, the treatment plant. If the assurance of the department is to be believed, concrete initiatives to revamp the plant will be taken up shortly, which nevertheless is functioning. The power transformer feeding electricity to the plant has been dysfunctional for some time now. However, department officials said it has not affected the running of the plant. It does not require much power for the treatment process, except for running a two-horsepower pump which is used for cleaning the plant of residue at regular intervals.
Earlier in the day, the team also inspected an ongoing water supply project at Medziphema. It is said to be going on smoothly and is expected to be completed by November.
Dr. Ngangshi said that the PHED is conscious of the department’s responsibility to provide potable water to the consumers. At the same time many odds are also pitted against the department which is hampering their service. One unavoidable factor is the force of nature, which is beyond human control.
He brought to the fore a misconception among the general populace that the PHED is supposed to provide drinking to every household. However, as is the rule, they can provide water to only those households which register with the department. Nevertheless, he said that it will be the endeavour of the department to maintain the treatment plant and the reservoir which is for the service of the public.
The departmental team along with the minister visited PHE’s drinking water treatment plant at New Chumukedima village and the nearby reservoir feeding water to the plant. This drinking water project went into service in 2002, envisioned to supply potable water to Dimapur and Chumukedima. The team also visited some stone quarries beyond the village believed to be one of the main reasons behind large-scale inundation of silt in the periphery of the reservoir which had badly damaged the old Peren Road as well as fertile farmland alongside the road.
According to villagers of New Chumukedima village, huge deposits of sediments have destroyed a large area of farmland. The damage was evident as the silt deposits have reached up to the span of an old bridge built over a stream known to the villagers as ‘Hekhaperu’. A few years back the bridge stood over eight feet above the river bed. Now, the stream is completely inundated by sediments and its water flowing over the bridge.
Department officials inferred that random and rampant quarrying up the said stream is one of the main contributing factors. Further, removal of stone boulders from the river bed, which feeds the reservoir, during the dry season, has damaged the natural balance of the river. Taking opportunity of the visit, the villagers aired their grievances to the minister.
The monsoon rains has also damaged the main water pipeline from the reservoir to the treatment plant which was also inspected, besides, the treatment plant. If the assurance of the department is to be believed, concrete initiatives to revamp the plant will be taken up shortly, which nevertheless is functioning. The power transformer feeding electricity to the plant has been dysfunctional for some time now. However, department officials said it has not affected the running of the plant. It does not require much power for the treatment process, except for running a two-horsepower pump which is used for cleaning the plant of residue at regular intervals.
Earlier in the day, the team also inspected an ongoing water supply project at Medziphema. It is said to be going on smoothly and is expected to be completed by November.
Dr. Ngangshi said that the PHED is conscious of the department’s responsibility to provide potable water to the consumers. At the same time many odds are also pitted against the department which is hampering their service. One unavoidable factor is the force of nature, which is beyond human control.
He brought to the fore a misconception among the general populace that the PHED is supposed to provide drinking to every household. However, as is the rule, they can provide water to only those households which register with the department. Nevertheless, he said that it will be the endeavour of the department to maintain the treatment plant and the reservoir which is for the service of the public.
