Flood management prog awaits Centre’s nod

SHILLONG: The State Government is not happy over the Centre’s dilly-dally in approving the flood management programme  prepared for the protection of two rivers — Umshyrpi and Wahumkhrah.
The State Water Resources department long time back had submitted a Rs 50-crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the purpose.
Speaking to The Shillong Times recently, Deputy Chief Minister and in-charge of Water Resources  Rowell Lyngdoh said that till now there was no response from the Centre on the matter  though the DPR was cleared by several ministries.
“We don’t know what is thefate of the DPR now,” he said, adding that the department has asked its officers to take up the matter with the Central Government.
The programme will also tackle   floods caused by the two rivers, especially during the monsoon as the State Government plans to construct drains on the small streams which lead to Wahumkhrah.
It may be mentioned here that Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharati last year had said that the Centre is working on the flood management programme for the two Shillong rivers “in a fast track mode”.