Review of drinking water projects in Dimapur and Aizawl

DoNER approached C-NES, to conduct an ‘Evaluation cum Impact Assessment Study for the Augmentation of Water Supply Project at Dimapur, Nagaland, and Aizawl, Mizoram’. Two teams were set up, one in Nagaland under Neichute Dulo of Entrepreneurs Associates and a Mizoram team under Mr Denghnuna, former secretary to the state government. Among other things, the reviews, the first ever to be conducted by an independent group for The Department of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) looked at:

• The status of the project on the ground
  
• The view of end users of water supply project
  
• The execution and operation of project
  
• The impact of the project
  
• The problems faced by the implementing agency
  
• The nature of benefits to the public of water project
  
• And the quality of water supplied

The recommendations noted that fund releases have not been regulated properly, non-compliance of the Centre?s guidelines, water supply was irregular and inadequate (forcing people even to resort to collection of rain water). The terms also urged involvement of local communities in monitoring and that the water, which has high contamination levels, be regularly tested scientifically.