SHILLONG: The North Eastern Council (NEC) has sanctioned drinking water supply scheme worth Rs.15 crore for Meghalaya to meet the emergency needs of drinking water in Shillong.
The NEC secretary Ameising Luikham informed that besides the water scheme, NEC made sanction for survey and investigation of Nongkohlait Hydro Electric Project (2 X 60 MW) in West Khasi Hills District and survey and investigation of work of Umngi Hydro Electric Project (2X27MW) in East Khasi Hills.
The NEC has also decided to give thrust for preparation of a Regional Plan for River Basin Development Plan for the NE states. According to the NEC secretary, the project for creating necessary Infrastructure for storage of water to meet the emergency needs of Shillong will meet the emergency need of the city and its adjoining areas and the project will have a combined water storage capacity of 5.6 million litres.
Luikham also informed that NEC has sanctioned two detailed project reports for Hydro Electric Projects on Nongkohlait river and Umngi river which will have installed capacity of 120 mw and 54 mw respectively at a total cost of Rs. 10 crore.
NEC had earlier sanctioned 6 more schemes for Meghalaya during 11th and 12th plan period.
The strategy to develop the river basin plan, as envisaged in the Vision 2020 document, was discussed in a meeting held at NEC Secretariat on Monday under the Chairmanship of MP Bezbaruah, member of NEC.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary, NEC, Senior Officers of NEC, and Senior Officers from all North East states and Central Agencies including Central Water Commission, North East Space Centre among others.
Addressing the State Officials, Bezbaruah emphasised the need to have a coordination mechanism by the State Governments to look into the various aspects of water resource activities like power, irrigation, water shed programme, fisheries, agriculture and horticulture . so as to maximize the utilization of water for the benefit of the people.
The NEC Secretary took review of all the ongoing NEC funded schemes in the Northeast.
He said that timely completion of the projects and schemes by the implementing agencies is a must for the states to achieve the developmental goals.
He also informed about various schemes available in NEC with regard to Irrigation and Flood Control and Water Shed Programme and in particular in the survey and investigation including preparation of DPRs for hydro power projects so as to meet the future requirements of the North eastern .
NEC has funded Anti Erosion – Flood Control, minor irrigation and water supply works in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Mizoram.