SHILLONG, Dec 14: The state government is racing against time for the completion of two projects – the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) – within the December 2022 deadline.
“I am yet to get the latest status report, but it may not be possible to complete the work within December. I hope the remaining work is not much,” PHE Minister Renikton L Tongkhar said about the GSWSS.
Reminding people that the scheme is old and was pending for years, he said: “After taking charge of the department, I was keen on completing the project. I was assured the contractors will finish the work by December.”
Tongkhar was optimistic about the completion of the project within this financial year (ends March 2023), if not by December. Admitting that he is disappointed by the delay, he said the PHED has been performing well, especially in the implementation of the JJM. “Although the Centre had given the 2024 target to provide water to 5,89,888 households, the department wants to get the job done by this December,” Tongkhar said.
“We have almost reached the JJM target,” he added.
He said 43% of the state’s households now have piped water connections compared to less than 1% when the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance took charge. “It is not an easy task when geographical conditions and a long monsoon are factored in,” he said.
On the bad condition of roads due to the laying of pipes, Tongkhar said he has asked the people to be patient and assured them that the roads would be restored.
