The Nagaland secretariat at the top of a hill in the state capital of Kohima

In the parched Nagaland capital of Kohima, water-sellers are treated as gods while the government continues to turn a blind eye to the crisis, reports Nishit Dholabhai

In the ever-thirsty Nagaland capital of Kohima, it is generally observed that the richer you are, the “higher” you go — apparently to the nearest swanky hilltop bungalow and preferably the Ministers Hill. The paradox is that the higher you go, the poorer you are in terms of water availability.

For the one-and-a-half lakh residents of Kohima water is liquid gold and the prices are as good. The second most important issue for the people of this town after the Naga peace process is water. Thirst certainly comes as a first concern for every resident during the dry season in March and April.

Nagaland’s well-endowed green canopy still attracts more than 200 cm of rain throughout the year. Ironically, as is the case with Cherrapunji or several other places in Meghalaya or Arunachal Pradesh, this precious liquid drains down the hills.

Kohima’s water scarcity is unique in its own right because from ministers and bureaucrats to the poorest of the poor are at the mercy of either the public health engineering department or the water suppliers.

These ragtag suppliers come in all shapes and sizes — some do the rounds in jeeps towing tanker-trailers while others carry jerrycans hanging from their shoulders.

Every morning at 5 am, the jeep-tankers travel 5km on the Dimapur highway or towards natural water sources like streams. They fetch water and supply it to clients that include the state’s who’s who — even those elite hilltop residents.

At Rs 1,500 per tanker it might seem good business, but considering the distance they have to travel the suppliers are at the receiving end. Availability is poor and distribution is difficult, which explains the reason why these jeep-tankers are mobile places of worship, the drivers are looked upon as gods and pleased with money and kind words.

Water sources in and around Kohima are mostly in the western Japfu range. However, as politicians say, it will only be possible to harness this water if the owners of the land permit.

Since Nagaland’s land is owned by the people and not by the government, the latter has to seek permission from the owners. “The people will certainly give their consent,” former PHE minister and now finance minister, K. Therie had once told reporters.

An exorbitant amount of Rs 3 crore have already been spent this fiscal only on spotting this “western Japfu” water source for the capital township. The question now is how to bring the precious fluid to the town. The curvaceous contours of Kohima would not allow water supply from Japfu through an extensive network of pipes relying on natural gravitation, while mechanical pumping would be back-breaking for cash-strapped state.

“The AG Colony (located in one of the lowest areas in terms of altitude in the capital town) is getting enough water,” says a lineman in the state PHE department. Hence, the taps on the low-lying areas never go dry. “Actually, there is enough water for people to survive at the existing sources, but the distribution is faulty,” he adds.

The PHE secretary had admitted some time ago that the distribution should be streamlined to stop pilferage of water and good maintenance of the pipelines.

Officials say they are considering introducing the water-metre system by the end of this financial year. However, the total number of subscribers of PHE water is shockingly low. “Why subscribe when the water supply is not regular?” asks a harassed resident.

While the Meghalaya capital of Shillong is on the verge of getting a huge image makeover, courtesy to new chief minister D.D. Lapang, the residents of Kohima are squirming for some passionate attention from the new government under Neiphiu Rio.

Politics, perhaps, overshadows the most pertinent and chronic problem faced by the common man. Apart from water, it is the pitiable condition of roads in Kohima that has been the concern for every government — but untouched as an issue by all. Leaders like K.L. Chishi and National People’s Front spokesman K. Therie have expressed openly that only political issues can fetch votes in Nagaland, pushing back development topics.

The capital town has seen a stupendous rise in the floating population over the past few years. While the BJP spoke about the Bangladeshi migrants in the run-up to the elections, a related issue remained unresolved.

Granting inner-line permits has become brisk business for some government servants, with these permits being issued for commissions and cuts.

However, immediately after the new coalition came to power, Therie promised that the inner-line permit system would be phased out. The new incumbents have promised to overhaul the roads and ease the traffic congestion, but the blueprint itself is pending.

While Meghalaya chief minister Lapang called a meeting of officials and discussed the issue of redesigning Shillong, it was the NGOs who were first called in Kohima.

People hope that the problems that touch their lives day in and day out could find some mention during the pauses in the process to permanent peace in Nagaland.