Shillong: Despite the fact that Cherrapunjee/Mawsynram in Meghalaya hold the record for being the rainiest places on earth, the State lacks proper management of the available water resource, asserted Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent Pala.
Elaborating on this issue during the inauguration of an Integrated Slum Development Scheme (ISDS) at Pynthorbah here on Saturday, Pala said management of the available water resources is very poor in the State while citing that climatic change is one factor which affects the availability of drinking water.
“A time will come when the monsoon rain will be reduced to 2 or 3 months and tackling these future problems at this stage is very important,” Pala added.
He further informed that the Centre will soon introduce water pricing citing the current situation in the whole country wherein it has reached a critical stage.
“We are reaching a critical stage when it comes to the availability of water and therefore, preserving water is the need of the hour,” added Pala.
Meanwhile, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed that her Department together with MUDA would prepare a plan to avert flood which is a frequent calamity during the rainy seasons to ensure the safety of the people as well as land and property.
She further stressed on the need to protect the water catchments areas and at the same time suggested the members of the Dorbar Shnong of that locality to organise planning programmes in the years to come regarding the construction of houses giving importance to proper drainage pattern, sanitation, and passage ways to avoid problems erupting in the future. It was mentioned that a project to control flood in the State initiated through the Union Minister for Water Resources is underway which will be completed in the next two years.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Water Resources AL Hek informed that a proper drainage system project in Pynthorbah and Pynthorumkhrah with a total cost of Rs 7 crore is being initiated by the Government to prevent the occurrence of flood in these areas.
A sum of Rs 5 lakh and Rs 3 lakh were given to the Dorbar Shnong of the locality for the completion of their community hall by Pala and Hek respectively.
Other dignitaries present included local MDC James B Basaiawmoit, officials from Water Resource Department, Pastors and Rangbah Shnong of Pynthorbah beside others.