SHILLONG: In a bid to contain water scarcity in the city, a massive water tank with 50 lakh litres capacity will be constructed to be used as a back-up water source in the lean season.
“The construction will be completed soon and this massive tank will be used a back-up when the water scarcity worsens,” Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh told reporters here on Monday.
The Government has already embarked on emergency measures to ensure that the city residents get enough drinking water.
Meanwhile, incessant rains over the last few weeks caused serious damage to a British-era reservoir at Umjasai river, situated in the Shillong Peak range, leading to water crisis in areas like Keating Road, Malki, Laitumkhrah and Lachaumiere.
The Minister, who visited the damaged site, said department has restored embankment temporarily. She said the Shillong Municipal Board has been asked to put up two tanks for emergency use.
“We need to restore this historic reservoir; though the expenditure would be high we have to ensure that people get adequate water supply to meet their needs,” she said.
A review meeting with the PHE department will be convened on Tuesday to discuss water crisis in the State.