SHILLONG: The residents of East Laban are facing acute shortage of water for over a year.
Given the difficulties, a resident of the area, Afreen Begum, had earlier filed a complaint on behalf of the affected residents of East Laban, who have water supply connection from Shillong Municipal Board (SMB), with the Chief Minister’s WhatsApp based public grievance redressal mechanism on February 26 and has also filed a similar petition with the PMO Grievance Cell on March 30.
The CEO of SMB had earlier informed that the complaint of Begum, an advocate by profession seeking resolution to the yearlong water crisis in her area, was attended by his inspector and found that there is a shortage right from the source.
“At present the supply is augmented through our water tankers and works for permanently improving the water supply to whole of Laban area has been sanctioned under AMRUT and tender for the work is floated,” was the response of the CEO of SMB.
However, the affected residents observed that the reply from the CEO of SMB indicates that the process will be a time consuming affair and said, “There is no immediate relief for the residents of East Laban and Howell Road and how are we surviving for want of water at this time of COVID-19 pandemic is beyond comprehension.”
As there was no further action on the matter, Afreen had filed another complaint on the water crisis in Laban on March 30, with the PMO Grievance Cell.
It was learnt that there is sufficient supply of PHE water, which keeps running till 2 pm in East Laban and due to the inaction by SMB, the affected residents are somehow making their ends meet by collecting water from leaking PHE pipes.
Though residents with PHE connection are not facing any difficulties, those without PHE connection said, “We are suffering not because of COVID-19 but for lack of municipal water supply.”
The affected residents, further narrating their hardships, informed that whenever they ask the plumbers, their usual reply is “when there is no water supply how is it possible.”
There are allegations from many that when all PHE water is consumed by the building owners having 20 to 30 tenants, there will be shortage of water.
Meanwhile, the residents of East Laban also complained that the main road passing through the locality is hardly cleaned.
