PHED told to resolve issues first
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 10: For the proposed construction of a pumping station under the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III
The Hima Mawphlang on Wednesday said it will give a clearance to the PHE department for the construction of a pumping station under the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III once the government resolves the various issues that it raised.
Recently, PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak had stated that the completion of the GSWSS Phase III will be delayed as the department has not yet got the clearance from the Hima Mawphlang to construct the pumping station close to the Umiew River.
Lyngdoh of Hima Mawphlang, Criag Alan Lyngdoh told The Shillong Times that the Hima and the PHE Department are discussing numerous issues, not just the one relating to the construction of the pumping station.
“I will not be able to disclose the issues we are discussing with the PHE Department since it is an internal matter of the Hima,” Lyngdoh said.
However, he said they will not have any problem in giving the clearance to the PHE Department once all the issues are resolved.
Earlier, the PHE Minister had stated that they are pursuing the matter seriously with the Hima Mawphlang.
“We will set a new deadline to complete this much-delayed project,” Marak had said.
He lamented that the Hima Mawphlang is not giving the clearance despite the state cabinet agreed to give appointments to more than 22 persons from the Hima.
He said the government needs land but it is pending with the Hima Mawphlang. Otherwise, he said, everything is ready for the completion of the GSWSS Phase III.
“The clearance is required for the construction of the pumping (station) for pumping the water from Umiew to the reservoir and then, to the treatment plant,” Marak had stated.
Earlier, the department had sought an additional amount of Rs 66 crore for the GSWSS phase-III. The cost escalated due to delay in the completion of the project. Approximately Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned for its implementation.