SHILLONG: PHE Minister, Samlin Malngiang on Thursday told the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly that the phase III of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) was delayed due to the non release of funds from the Central Government.
Replying to a motion moved by MLA SK Sunn to discuss the water supply position in the State capital and District headquarters, Malngiang said that the project could not be expedited due to non-release of funds
He said that the 4th installment of the project was released on February 10, 2016 after a gap of four years which delayed the project even as he added that the Central Government earlier not only delayed but also deducted Rs 1741.48 lakh from the project since the State Government could not implement the reforms of the JNNURM under which Municipal elections were to be held in the state.
Earlier, he said that the phase III of the project was sanctioned in the year 2008 with a funding of Rs 193.49 crores.
According to the PHE minister, the phase I of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme was sanctioned in the year 1979 to cater to four urban centres of the Shillong town
He also added that the Phase I and II of the project generated 51.30 MLD including 34.05 MLD under Phase I and 17.25 MLD under Phase II.
The Project Phase I AND envisages pumping of water directly from the run-off the River Umiew and has a capacity to generate and supply 34.05 MLD.
With a view to augment the water supply to areas covered by GSWSP (Phase I & II) and with a view to provide coverage to the remaining 3 uncovered Urban Centres of Shillong, GSWSP (Phase III) which was accorded sanction by the Government is now under implementation.
Earlier, Nongthymmai MLA, Charles Pyngrope said that water supply was erratic in his constituency though the constituency was covered under the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme
He said that water is not reaching many localities as distribution system had outlived its life span and pipes were rusted and needed immediate repairing.
South Tura MLA, Agatha Sangma who also participated in the discussion urged the Government to focus on rain water harvesting even as she added that women often faced lot of problems because of water scarcity and in many parts of the country, women have spent 3-4 hours of daily to fetch water.
She also urged the Speaker to provide water filter in the Assembly so that the MLAs don’t need to use water from plastic bottle.
Earlier, while referring to the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase I, II and III), Mawphlang MLA SK Sunn highlighted the lack of coordination of the PWD and PHE departments in ensuring unhindered supply of safe drinking water in the city.
Sunn also called upon the line departments to cooperate so as to ensure that work was completed soon. He stated that the scheme which was already in place for New Shillong Township needed be implemented at the earliest.
Supporting the motion, Mawsynram legislator of the Congress HM Shangpliang said that it was an irony that he represented a constituency which was known to be the wettest place on earth but facts remain that there was water everywhere but not a drop to drink.
He also lamented that people in some areas along the Indo Bangla border in his constituency till date were forced to drink water from the nearby ponds.
Other members who took part in the discussion includes – Chief Whip of the ruling party are Nongkrem legislator Lambor Malngiang, Rangsakona legislator Zenith Sangma, Mawlai MLA PT Sawkmie, East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh, Umsning MLA George Lyngdoh, and North Tura MLA Thomas A Sangma.