Locals of Borum, TPWA demanded immediate laying of pipelines of water supply scheme

BORUM, 21 Mar: The Borum and Tarajuli panchayat welfare association (TPWA) has threatened to disrupt the existing water supply to Naharlagun town from Nyorch water source if the state government fails to fulfill their two-point demand within the next 15 days. The villagers alleged that the project named augmentation of water supply to Buk, Borum, Tarajuli I, II, III, Sood, Sood II, Nyorch, and railway station area has been affected due to failure on the part of the state government to release funds on time and construction of pipelines for water supply to these villages.

While briefing the media, Nabam Pekhi who is a local resident of Borum shared that the civil work of the project is complete. “Civil work is complete but contractors have not been paid. This is causing a big problem. Also, the pipeline has not been laid till now,” said Pekhi. He urged the state government to immediately make payment to the contractors and start laying the pipeline at the earliest. “We need a proper water supply at the earliest. Right now, the majority of people are dependent on bore wells for water at home,” he added. Further, he shared that most of the contractors are local villagers. “As there is no road, we had to carry all materials by using manpower to the construction site. It was very difficult to execute the project. Department officials have visited the site,” he shared.

The Borum ZPM Tok Tama has urged the department to release funds at the earliest and make payment to the contractors. “The civil work is complete and therefore the contractor should be paid. The whole issue should be amicably resolved and no one should suffer,” he said.

Meanwhile Tadar Mangku, executive engineer, PHED clarified that the fund has already been placed and the contractors will be paid at the earliest. “Rupees two crore seventy-one lacs have been allocated. It has gone for authorization at the finance department. The Chief Engineer office staff is following the file and within the next few days it should be cleared,” he said.

The EE also informed that the state government is taking matters very seriously. “Right from the concerned minister to the Chief Minister this issue is being taken very seriously. In fact, it is due to the effort of the Chief Engineer that funds have been allocated. I appeal to people to cooperate with us and not to take any step which will harm the interest of the capital region,” appealed EE Mangku.

On the issue of delay in laying of the pipeline, he said the department will procure pipes in this financial year.  “It might take at least another six months to complete pipeline work. The water source is around 8 KM from the road. The area is difficult to work in,” he added.

The scheme augmentation of water supply to Buk, Borum, Tarajuli I, II, III, Sood, Sood II, Nyorch, and railway station area was sanctioned in 2020. The project was initially hit by Covid lockdown.

Leave a Comment

error: Content is protected !!