UKHRUL: The New Year has begun on a troubling note for residents of Ukhrul town as an acute scarcity of drinking water continues to grip the district headquarters. The town has not received a regular water supply for days, forcing many households to rely on private water vendors to meet their daily needs.
With no alternative available, residents are purchasing water at excessive rates, paying between ₹400 and ₹500 per 500 liters, depending on the source. The situation has left people increasingly restless, particularly those from economically weaker sections.
Related Ukhrul water crisis in dry winter; Needs additional water sources to sustain
Speaking to this correspondent, Themreishang Marei, Executive Engineer, PHED Ukhrul, explained that the disruption is primarily due to repeated damage to the town’s main water pipelines during the ongoing NH-202 (Ukhrul–Jessami) highway construction.
“The Ukhrul Headquarter water supply system has two pipelines coming from Shirui. Due to continuous damage caused during highway construction, the department, after careful consideration, decided to temporarily remove one pipeline and manage the supply with the remaining one,” Marei said.
He further clarified that the department is adopting this approach to avoid a complete breakdown of the water supply system. “If both pipelines are destroyed, Ukhrul headquarters will face a total lack of drinking water. Therefore, we are managing the system diligently, though there will be times when water supply will not be regular,” he added.
Marei also pointed out that despite repeated appeals to the highway construction authorities, damage to the pipelines continues. “We have had arguments with the construction management from time to time, urging them to be careful as the people of Ukhrul town depend on this water. However, recklessness and lack of caution by machinery operators have repeatedly damaged the pipelines,” he said.
“Even today we have people from department fixing the broken pipes,” he added.
Adding to the crisis, the two water sources at Shirui are gradually depleting, further limiting the department’s ability to meet the growing demand of the town.
Also read Road Development Projects in Ukhrul: A Call for Quality, Accountability and Delivery
To address the long-term water shortage, Marei informed that the department is working on an NDP programme to bring water from the Langdang River, with a target to complete the project by May 2026. “We are putting in a lot of effort to ensure this project is completed on time,” he stated.
In addition, approval has also been granted to bring water from Khangkhui Khunou, and the department plans to begin work on this project within the year. “Once these two additional pipelines are operational, we are hopeful that the water supply situation in Ukhrul town will significantly improve,” Marei said.
Appealing for public cooperation, the Executive Engineer urged residents and civil society organisations (CSOs) to support the department’s efforts. “I request the public and CSOs to also keep a check on highway construction activities in any possible way. Let us work together to find better solutions and improve the Ukhrul District Headquarters water supply system,” he said.
As the water crisis deepens, residents continue to wait for immediate relief while hoping that long-term projects will bring a sustainable solution to Ukhrul’s growing water woes.
Also read Kalhang Khullen Pipa Condemn Village Headman, Issue Five-Day Ultimatum to Step Down