Shillong, July 13: Meghalaya government has sanctioned an additional Rs 65 crores for the completion of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS). Despite the delay which has led to escalation of costs, government is determined to complete the crucial project by year end.
Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar on Tuesday informed that the project was affected very badly due to the pandemic but the department is trying their best to see how they can try to recover the entire loss due to this pandemic.
With 80 percent of the physical work completed, the department however encountered several challenges like digging the road to place the pipes. Another challenge was having to pass through the defense land. It has to also cross many private lands, so these were the common problems that they had faced, but mostly it has been solved, mentioned the PHE minister.
“This government is keen to complete the incomplete task that was started by the previous government. So is the same with the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme. For many years it has been pending but this government has taken it seriously to sanction the required extra amount of Rs 65 crores and that has been able to inspire the contractors to work on this project and resume it. We hope it will be completed within this year,” said Tongkhar.
The GSWSS Phase III aims to solve the water woes faced by the residents of Shillong. The project was initially scheduled to be completed in June, 2021. The project was approved by the Union Government at a cost of Rs 193.50 crore in October 2008 with a completion deadline of May 2011.
The objective of this project is to create infrastructure to provide for the supply of additional 24 million litres of water to the projected population of Shillong Urban Agglomeration from 2011 to 2041.
Upper Shillong Water Supply Scheme inaugurated
Meanwhile, Tongkhar also inaugurated the Upper Shillong Water Supply Scheme on Tuesday. The scheme was sanctioned way back in 2010, and the foundation stone was laid on July 14, 2010. For over nine years the scheme has been delayed.
“We understand that it was supposed to complete 11 years back but couldn’t be completed due to many reasons. I am happy that the citizens are seeing the light of the day of this project after the inauguration was done today,” informed Tongkhar.
The original estimate for the project was Rs 33 crores and but was revised to Rs 39.95 crores and the estimate sanctioned in 2020.
“This government is putting focus to complete the incomplete project in all the departments,” added Tongkhar.
The HSPDP MLA from Mawkyrwat also lauded the government how a project like the building of the new Assembly is almost completed.
He added that other projects like in Mawkyrwat, the Civil Hospital was delayed for 8 years for wanting an extra amount. “Since the original estimate was only Rs 8 crores but after executing the work, extra work came up and required an extra amount and the total revised estimate reached Rs 23 crores. We understand it is not easy for any government to sanction from Rs 8 crores to Rs. 23 crore but this govt understands the need and now we are about to complete and expecting to inaugurate the Civil Hospital building in Mawkyrwat by September 2021,” informed Tongkhar.
