By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The third phase of the highly-anticipated Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) is set to miss its revised target of March 2013 thanks to the delay in release of funds into the project account.
Highly-placed sources on Monday informed that the third installment for the phase III amounting to Rs 43.53 crore was approved by the Central Government in January this year but due to unknown reason the fund has not yet been released.
“The delay in release of money is hampering the project and now the project will miss its March 2013 deadline,” sources added.
The PHE department had earlier sought extension till March 2013 for completion of the project.
According to sources, the PHE, which is implementing the project, is running out of money to commission the project as per schedule.
The total budget of the project is Rs 193.49 crore with a Central share of ninety per cent which comes to around Rs 174 crore.
However, there was a ten per cent cut (Rs 19 crore deduction) from the fund allocation by the Centre as the State Government had failed to initiate reforms under urban governance (holding of municipal polls etc.,) which was laid down under the JNNURM, which severely affected the implementation of this important project.
The State Government had subsequently taken a decision to address the deficit from the State fund.
It may be added that the project which is expected to provide water connection to 44,000 households in the city was originally targeted to be completed by June 2012.