Manipur Launches Its First-Ever Online Water Billing Portal
Manipur’s Public Health & Engineering Department (PHED) launched its first online water tariff billing portal on 26 August 2025, initially covering Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and Greater Imphal. The portal — accessible at https://bills.phedmanipur.com — lets registered households with water meters view bill history, pay online via multiple options, receive instant bill alerts, lodge grievances, and apply for new connections. The trial that began in January 2025 covered 50,498 water meters and generated over ₹91 lakh in revenue, and PHED says a new consumption-based tariff structure will come soon.
What the portal actually offers — a user’s quick tour
So what will you get when you visit bills.phedmanipur.com? The PHED lists several consumer-facing features designed to make water billing less of a headache:
- Online bill payment and receipts — pay from anywhere, 24×7, and download receipts for records.
- Access to past bill history — consumers can check consumption and billing history at any time.
- Multiple digital payment options — so customers who prefer UPI, cards, or netbanking can choose their way to pay.
- Instant alerts for new bills and due dates — no more missed payments because the notice got lost.
- Grievance redressal — an integrated quick complaints mechanism to flag wrong readings, non-supply, or other problems.
- Information on water conservation — tips and guidance to reduce usage and bills.
- Online application for new connections — you won’t necessarily need to stand in a long queue to apply.
The rollout so far — trial numbers and early revenue
PHED trialed the portal earlier in 2025 and already installed 50,498 water meters during that run. According to the department, the trial period generated over ₹91 lakh in revenue — which translates to roughly ₹180 per metered household based on the installed meters (a useful snapshot, though consumption varies). These early figures are a sign the system can monetize billing reliably — a big deal for utility finances and sustainability.
Who’s covered now (and who’s next)
The initial scope focuses on Imphal Municipal Corporation and Greater Imphal. PHED officials at the launch asked residents in those areas to contact local Water Supply Maintenance Divisions for new meter installations: Division I at Khoyathong for Imphal West, and Division II at Porompat for Imphal East. A helpline — 080-4567-4629 — has been advertised to assist users. PHED Secretary Hungyo Worshang (IAS), Chief Engineer Shangreiphao Vashum, and Superintending Engineer (Urban) Thokchom Bebina Devi were among officials present at the launch
The technology and the user experience — what to expect clicking around
The article doesn’t publish the portal’s tech stack (that’s normal), but here’s the user-facing experience you should expect:
- Registration — a household or consumer enters a consumer number, meter ID, or registered mobile number, and sets a password.
- Dashboard — once logged in, you can view current and past bills, upcoming dues, usage graphs, and a payment button.
- Payment flow — integrated payment gateway(s) accept UPI, cards, and netbanking; receipts are downloadable instantly.
- Alerts and notices — SMS or email alerts for new bills and confirmations of payments.
- Grievance portal — ticket creation and status tracking.
- Self-service — apply for new connections, report meter issues, or request inspections.
That’s the modern utility UX blueprint. Implementation quality matters — speed, mobile responsiveness, and minimal form-filling determine whether people actually use the portal or default to old channels (cash, meters-read-by-person). PHED’s helpline and divisional support are key to bridging that gap early on.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What’s the URL and who can use the portal right now?
A1: The portal is at https://bills.phedmanipur.com and currently covers Imphal Municipal Corporation (IMC) and Greater Imphal consumers with installed water meters. PHED has encouraged residents in Imphal West and East to contact the Water Supply Maintenance Divisions for meter-related services.
Q2: I don’t have a water meter yet. How can I apply?
A2: New connections and meter installation requests can be made online through the portal; for on-ground assistance, contact Division I (Khoyathong) for Imphal West or Division II (Porompat) for Imphal East, or call the helpline 080-4567-4629.
Q3: What if my bill looks wrong?
A3: Use the portal’s grievance redressal mechanism to lodge a complaint and track its status. Keep meter readings, photos, and past bills handy to help with verification. If unresolved, escalate to the maintenance division or seek details via RTI if necessary.
Q4: Is the portal secure? Will my payment details be safe?
A4: PHED has not publicly detailed the portal’s full tech stack; however, users should look for standard security indicators (HTTPS, secure payment gateway receipts) and save receipts. For systemic assurance, PHED should publish a privacy and security statement and follow encryption and PCI-DSS standards. (This is a recommended best practice.)
Q5: Will water tariffs go up with the new system?
A5: PHED has indicated a new tariff structure based on household consumption will be introduced soon. Consumption-based tariffs can lead to higher bills for heavy users but protect low-usage households if slab structures and lifeline rates are crafted fairly. PHED should publish tariff schedules and hold public consultations prior to major changes.
