Nongstoin water supply scheme set for delay

NONGSTOIN: The much-awaited Nongstoin Urban Water Supply Scheme (NUWSS) is set for yet another delay.
According to a report submitted to Chief Secretary Barkos Warjri by PHE Executive Engineer A. Lyngkhoi along with West Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner S Kharlyngdoh, the company assigned with the construction work of the project has not initiated any work till date despite the payment of over Rs.2.18 crore as ‘mobilization advance’.
The Kolkata-based firm M/s. Tantia Constructions Ltd was allotted the work in 2013 under the supervision of PHE Chief Engineer S.K. Sun.
The Chief Secretary on Wednesday visited the Office of the Executive Engineer PHE to inquire about the progress of the project. He also visited the water treatment plant of the department which has been set up near the office building.
“M/s. Tantia Constructions Ltd., Kolkata, was allotted the construction work of water supply system for Nongstoin Urban Water Supply Scheme (Package-I) at a contract price of Rs. 28,91,45,455,” the report said.
“On November 2014 an amount of Rs. 2,89,14,546 has been paid to M/s. Tantia Constructions as mobilization advance for starting the work but till date the contractor/firm has not turned up or showed any sign of commencing the work,” the report added.
Warjri informed that the project was being run under the State Plan and the current financial crisis the State is facing has also delayed of the implementation of the project.
Warjri assured to take up the matter of delay in the NUWSS with the Government.
The scheme worth a whopping Rs.133.94 crore had brought hopes that the water woes of Nongstoin and as many as 28 villages around it would be a thing of the past once the project is implemented.