Chief Minister Dr. Neiphiu Rio and PHED minister N Jacob Zhimomi with others during the commissioning of water supply project on April 29. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | April 29
Bringing relief to water scarce region of the Northern Angami, the water supply project for 24 villages under Chiephobozou RD Block of Kohima district was officially commissioned today at a function held at Balancing Reservoir Site, Zhadima village.
This project was executed by PHED Nagaland under Non-lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) scheme.
Inaugurating the project, Nagaland’s Chief Minister Dr Neiphiu Rio expressed concern over the stance of water scarcity within Northern Angami area and hoped that the commissioning of this water supply project will immensely benefit the community.
He also stressed the need to explore alternative water sources, including borewell, rainwater harvesting, traditional well rejuvenation, and water-pumping, particularly in areas facing acute water scarcity.
Dr Rio also called for proper management of the newly commissioned water supply project and also ensure that safe drinking water reaches every household.
Asking the public to cooperate with PHED department and the concerned management team of the project, he said, “If we are united, everything is possible.”
Nagaland’s PHED & Cooperation Minister N Jacob Zhimomi informed that the state is implementing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) by providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to the rural households across the state.
However, the state is yet to achieve 100% project implementation and the same has been conveyed to the Ministry.
The Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation has extended JJM till 2028, he said.
In this, the minister urged upon the concerned households who are yet to access FHTC to get in touch with WATSAN and enable the department and the government to take up the same with the Ministry.
Zhimomi also assured the government’s commitment to intensify pipeline connection across the state and to ensure safe drinking water for every household.
Representatives from Zhadima and Nerhema Village Councils also spoke at the programme and thanked the state government for extending the water supply projects.
The programme was chaired by Orenthung Lotha, Commissioner & Secretary PHED Nagaland while vote of thanks was proposed by Er Subongyanger, Executive Engineer, PHED Kohima Rural Division.
Later, Dr Rio commissioned another project on development of tourism related infrastructure under NESIDS at Tuophema tourist village.
About water supply project for 24 villages
* Sanctioned in 2009 at an approved cost of Rs.2626.41 lakh by the Union Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DONER)
* Project execution began in 2010, and despite various technical and implementation challenges, it has now successfully reached the commissioning stage.
* Chiephobozou and Botsa blocks are among the worst-hit by water scarcity in Kohima district
* Conceptualised as a long-term solution to address the needs of 24 villages in the area, the project initially planned a gravity-based system from Western Kohima, but was later redesigned to draw water from Vithorü using a pumping system due to source issues. Though Vithorü was the only viable source, its limited discharge and the high elevation of some villages made a full gravity-based system unfeasible.
* Consequently, the scheme was restructured into a mix of Multi-Village and Single Village supply systems, with only 9 villages—Tsiesema Basa, Zhadima, Nerhe Phezha, Nerhema, Nerhe Model, Chiephobozou, Chiechama, Nachama, and Botsa—feasibly covered by the Vithorü source using the revised pumping-gravity system.
* The remaining 15 villages—Zhadi-II, Phekerkrie Bawe, Phekerkrie Basa, Teichuma, Seiyha Phesa, Seiyhama, Tsiemekhuma Bawe, Tsiemekhuma Basa, Gariphe Bawe, Gariphe Basa, Tsiesema Bawe, Ziezou, Tuophema, 4th NAP Thizama, and Meriema (NU Campus)—are supplied through local sources like traditional wells, springs, and groundwater systems, with many requiring localised pumping setups
* Project will provide adequate quantity of drinking water and provide better water supply service levels.The beneficiary villages will be benefitted with potable drinking water in adequate quantity and with quality as per recommended standards.
* Surface water source will be used for treatment to supply considered households which will help against depletion of ground water
Source: Technical Report by Er L Leyang Khiamniungan, Chief Engineer, PHED Nagaland
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