Union water resources minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on November 7 dedicated a water supply project to the people of cluster villages of Pathergaon, Kaisu, Enten and Enthem villages in Namsai district of Arunachal Pradesh.
The 0.17 MLD drinking water project was funded by the state government under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and will benefit 167 households.
Addressing a gathering, Shekhawat said Namsai being the lone aspirational district in Arunachal has all the attention of the Centre.
“Development of aspirational districts, which are lagging in socio-economic indicators is close to the heart of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. So, the implementation of all flagships programs in such districts are being directly monitored by the PM and PMO,” an official release quoted the Union minister as saying.
He said: “By the next nine months, we all should ensure that Namsai district achieves 100 per cent coverage of potable drinking water facilities for all households. This will be a return gift to the PM who is always keen on the development of the aspirational district.”
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Pema Khandu said the state government aims to achieve 100 per cent potable tap water connections to all households of the state by 2023, a year ahead of the national deadline.
He said with support from the Union ministry and dedicated work from the PHE & WS department, the state is making steady progress in providing clean drinking water to every household.
Khandu said with the integrated water supply project at Jia becoming fully functional, more such schemes with tourism component added to the drinking water projects will be planned for other parts of Arunachal.
Highlighting the issue of recurring floods during monsoons in the floodplains such as Namsai district, he requested the Union minister to provide support for flood protection schemes since many low lying areas in Arunachal are at risk due to flood erosion.
Earlier, deputy chief minister Chowna Mein, state PHE minister Wangki Lowang and local MLA Zingnu Namchoom also spoke. State education minister Taba Tedir, MP Tapir Gao, MLAs Laisam Simai, Karikho Kri, Dasanglu Pul and Jummum Ete Deori were also present on the occasion.
