Sunn seeks intervention of Conrad
SHILLONG: The delay on the part of PWD to entrust PHE to start laying of pipes has affected the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme phase III.
In this regard, Mawphlang legislator SK Sunn has sought the intervention of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. .
In a letter addressed to the chief minister, Sunn also referred to media reports on contractors seeking the status of the work after it was stopped.
Sunn said during the budget session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly in 2018, he had moved a motion on water supply position in the state capital and district head quarters and the need to replace all the existing pipes which are cast iron and galvanised iron with ductile iron pipes in the gravity main, feeder main and the distribution networks of the project and accordingly the department awarded the works for distribution networks for the seven urban centres to different contractors.
“It was learned that the works have been suspended due to non co-operation extended by Public Works Department and non- completion of new distribution network has defeated the very purpose of project formulated and sanctioned “, he said.
Sunn had also said PHE department and PWD have to co-operate and unless PWD assures that it will allow PHE to lay the pipelines, there will be uncertainty over the project.
Sunn reminded that the Deputy Chief Minister in- charge PWD Prestone Tynsong had assured co-operation from the department.
The legislator apprised the chief minister that following his official inspection of the project
at Mawphlang along with the media on December I, 2018, he had submitted a report to the government on January 18 which was officially acknowledged by the government with a direction to PHE Directorate to take a follow action .
In respect of execution of the package II of the water supply project by different local contractors, Suun said he had said in his report that the department may need to take necessary steps to ensure the work as assured by Prestone on the floor of the House is resumed at the earliest.
“The site accounts of DI pipes and DI specials, including utilisation in the works may need to be verified inview of long stoppage of works due to revoking of permission by PWD after HDR Lyngdoh was shifted from PWD”, Sunn said in the letter.
He also expressed regret that even after one year, the works under package II of the phase III of the project is yet to resume despite the assurance by Prestone.
