UKHRUL, October 8, 2026: Citing an acute drinking-water crisis in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, MLA Ram Muivah on Thursday urged Union Minister for Water Resources C.R. Patil to support a proposed multipurpose dam project, saying the shortage has reached an almost humanitarian crisis during the lean season.
Muivah raised the issue during a meeting with Paatil, where he highlighted the daily hardships faced by people in the two districts, including women who have to rise before dawn to fetch water from forest springs. He also drew attention to 21 villages without power supply and the recurring destruction of paddy fields by flash floods, and submitted a project proposal for the construction of a multipurpose dam under the Ministry of Water Resources.
The Union Minister, according to Muivah, gave him a patient hearing and assured him of all possible assistance under his ministry, stressing that “water is life.”
“While the rest of the world takes for granted 24X7 water supply in the kitchen or bathroom, here in Ukhrul, Jerusalem of Manipur, our mothers, sisters and daughters have to get up at the break of dawn to fetch water from the spring in the forest in this 21st century,” Muivah said.
According to Muivah, the proposed project is intended to address the longstanding water crisis in Ukhrul and Kamjong while also responding to other infrastructure and agricultural challenges faced by communities in the region.
The proposal is linked to the Kongva Multi-Purpose River Valley Project, prepared by the Water Resources Department, Government of Manipur. The project is envisaged to provide drinking water to Ukhrul, Kamjong and parts of Imphal East, besides incorporating components such as flood control, irrigation, power generation, tourism and fisheries.
Muivah said the drinking-water shortage becomes particularly severe during the lean season, placing an additional burden on families who depend on natural springs and other local water sources.
He also highlighted the lack of electricity in several villages. According to him, 21 villages in Ukhrul and Kamjong districts remain without power supply, leaving people in border areas in darkness after sunset.
“When the sun sets, our people in border areas feel as if they are blind,” he said.
The MLA also raised concerns over the impact of flash floods on agriculture. He said that during flash floods, paddy fields are either washed away or submerged, leaving farming families helpless and further affecting their livelihoods.
Accordingly, Muivah submitted a project proposal for the construction of a multipurpose dam under the Ministry of Water Resources, seeking to address the drinking-water crisis while also supporting irrigation and flood management.
The MLA said the Union Minister was “kind and gracious” and gave him a patient hearing during the meeting. He said Patil assured him of all possible assistance under his ministry and emphasised that “water is life.”
Muivah further said the Union Minister acknowledged the responsibility of the country to ameliorate the suffering of citizens living in border areas.
The MLA had earlier highlighted the severe drinking-water shortage affecting Ukhrul and Kamjong and identified several areas as among the worst affected. In Ukhrul district, these included Ukhrul District Headquarters and areas along NH-202, including Lunghar, Nungbi, Kalhang, Kuirei, Marem, Nghaui, Chingjaroi, Razai and Kharasom, up to Jessami ADC Headquarters and Chingai Sub-Division Headquarters.
In Kamjong district, the affected areas cited included Kamjong District Headquarters, Shingcha, Bungpa, Garihung, Ramboi, Koso, Shakok, Leishi, Leiting, Phalang, Hundung Kota, Alang, Phungyar Sub-Division Headquarters, Khambi, Maileng, Sorte and Soraphung, among others.
He also identified several areas in southern Manipur, including Lungshang, Shangzing, Lungreiphung, Shangshak, Ramva, Hatha, Tashar, Shokvao, Lungpha and Mahadev, among areas facing serious water scarcity.
In his submission, Muivah appealed for intervention to secure the sanction of the project under the Ministry of Water Resources or through externally aided projects such as NDB, citing the urgent needs of the people of Ukhrul and Kamjong.
The proposed Kongva Multi-Purpose River Valley Project, if sanctioned and implemented, could address drinking-water requirements while also supporting irrigation, flood control and other water-resource-related activities in the region.
The proposed project comes amid continuing concerns over basic infrastructure and essential services in the remote and border areas of Ukhrul and Kamjong, where communities continue to face challenges related to water, electricity and agricultural vulnerability.
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