Water project faces Dorbar hurdle

SHILLONG:  The PHE department is facing a major hurdle in laying the distribution pipes under Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III in certain stretches of Jaiaw and the whole of Mawlai.
“We are not getting the necessary permission from the Dorbar Shnong in Jaiaw and Mawlai to lay the distribution pipes. We have been able to complete the laying of the distribution pipes only in certain stretches of the localities in Jaiaw,” a senior government official informed here on Thursday.
He said that the Dorbar Shnong in various localities of Mawlai did not cite any clear reason for not allowing the laying of the pipes.
“But this development has definitely affected the progress of the project,” a senior government official said.
He however assured that they would try to complete the project within the first quarter of this year despite the hurdles.
In view of the complaints by many of the localities, a senior government official said that they have adopted a new system where they take up of the roads immediately after laying of the pipes.
‘But now we are the laying the pipes at one go. We are doing the work on small patches,” he said.
The official, however, made it clear that the delay would not lead to cost escalation.
“We have already taken steps so that the cost of the project does not escalate,” the official said.
On the status of the project, the official said that at present, the distribution pipes are being laid across the city.
‘After the completion of Stage-III project, it would generate 24 million litres per day and provide up to 135 litres per head per day of drinking water for about 5,12,000 population, the official said, adding at present the Stage-I and II of the scheme generates only 85 litres per head per day of drinking water in the city.
Earlier, the implementation of the Stage-III of the scheme was delayed after it was inaugurated by President Pratibha Patil on October 22, 2008 due to the tussle between Public health Engineering Department and Meghalaya Urban Development Authority.