‘Govt taking steps to rejuvenate dried water sources’
Shillong, Nov 25: The state government has set a new target of March next year for completion of the much-awaited Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS-III) even as it admitted land as a big hurdle in timely completion of the projects.
“Everything is on the right track. Work, which was pending for so long, already started. I have to review myself that project,” said PHE minister Marcuise N Marak.
He said the new target for completion of GSWSS-III has been set as March next year.
On the availability of funds for the crucial project, he said, “After the 3rd enhancement of the project, there should not be any financial difficulties for GSWSS Phase III.”
Meanwhile, the minister said he will review implementation of various projects under three divisions of the department on November 28.
“On November 28, I am going to Mawkyrwat to review three divisions – Mairang, Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat. I will go for site inspection as well,” he informed.
“I will be reviewing JJM and other projects as well,” the minister said.
“Things are going on in good pace but then I wanted to know myself by visiting the sites. I want to see how far the progress is going on,” he added.
Meanwhile, the minister informed, the department has proposed “operation and maintenance rules” for consideration of the state cabinet.
“Once approved, I will make sure things move in regards to all projects under the PHE department,” he said.
On the delay in completion of the projects, the minister said land has been a big issue.
“Some projects are delayed because of land issue. There was series of discussions – that is also one of the reasons.
Some of the projects are getting delayed because of want of forest clearances. There are lots of procedures to go due to which it took lots of time – this is the reason why we took so long,” he said.
Regarding the drying up of water sources in the state, the minster appealed to the citizens of the state to help in the conservation and protection of water bodies.
“I want to appeal to the citizens of Meghalalya, we cannot do anything about the sources going down, flow of the sources are very less and that is why the government is taking lots of initiatives to revive those dry sources and some of the dry sources, which needs to be rejuvenated, some projects are on the pipelines,” he said.
