DoNER yet to release the alloted water fund

Aizawl, Feb 28 (UNI) Mizoram government has expressed dissatisfaction over the Development of Northeastern Region (DoNER) ministry for delaying the release of fund allocated for water supply project.

State public health engineering (PHE) department officials here today said despite regular persuasions DoNER had not released Rs 11.12 crore meant for phase-II water supply project here.

Official sources said presently the PHE is supplying only 20 litres of water per capita per day (LPCD) here, which is almost one-seventh of the prescribed national standard.

Most of the areas here were not getting adequate water since last week and were purchasing potable water from outside at high rate due to irregular supply of PHE water.

'' We are expecting the phase-II water supply project, designed for 2.29 lakh people to be operational by March and the situation will definately improve'', PHE Chief Engineer J P Sinha said.

However, he stated that the phase-I poject was commissioned in 1988 for 80,000 people but the current population is about more than three lakhs.

Though the PHE supplied treated water is normally meant for driniking and household purpose, in Mizoram it is being used for other purposes due to non-availability of other water sources, Mr Valbuanga said.

UNI