The completion of a major water supply projecst at Aboi and Longching region in Mon have enabled many people to register for water supply connection. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | November 9
Along with old existing users, 138 households in Aboi and Longching region under Mon District are currently registered under water supply connection with the completion of a major water supply project.
The project commenced in 2018 and completed in September, 2022 under the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Mon division.
While lack of proper water supply in the two regions may largely accrue due to water scarcity for its residents, the water supply by gravity system was projected as a potential solution to ease the burden of the populace in this region.
Accordingly a major project to supply water by gravity system under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern region (DoNER) as part of the Non-Lapsable Central Pool for Resources (NLCPR) was augmented in 2017.
The project, undertaken by the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Government of Nagaland is said to have been completed this year, in the month of September where few households are availing the water connection by paying a nominal fee, as confirmed by PHED officials in Mon district.
According to the Executive Engineer, PHED, Mon Division, Er Lutho Katiry, the provision of the project was for “water supply to reach from main reservoir tank to distribution tanks.”
“Since Aboi being a revenue town, water connection is given to households to whoever applies for water supply connection by paying a nominal fee or security deposit as per the government approved rate. Both Aboi and Longching is getting water through landline,” he clarified, adding that beyond the distribution tank, the pipeline connection to household has to be arranged by the consumer.
In reply to an RTI furnished by the department to The Morung Express, an amount of Rs 965.98 lakhs was approved by the DoNER Ministry and the same was sanctioned in full amount. As such, work commenced in April, 2018 and was completed in September, 2022.
While in comparison to the population and households, the official clarified that that the water supply will be sufficient for both the towns. “We are still working on the distribution system and for connection. As such water supply will be given on timely basis and not 24/7,” the official further added.
As per the project under NLCPR, DoNER project fund, the department disclosed that old or existing tanks were replaced with larger storage capacities and new water structures in all the wards and some areas were constructed. Others were constructed under the Local Area Development Programme (LADP) Fund and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Scheme.
As such, while water supply by gravity system supplies water from the reservoir to the distribution tanks, the main reservoir tank in Leangshan was replaced by a 1,45,000 litres GPS tank under the project which was earlier 50,000 litres. The condition was however “partially functional with seepage.”
For instance, 30,000 and 10,000 litres distribution tanks were replaced by smaller 7,800 litres GPS tanks under NLCPR. The status of the tanks were “functional but seepage” or “rusted and partially functional” as informed by the department official.
Meanwhile, the new water structures included 7,800 litres GPS tanks to nine wards and one at helipad, and four 3,900 litres GPS tanks.
