By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 7: PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak on Thursday justified the cost escalation of the Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme (Phase-1), a day after the Hynniewtrep Youth Council had raised concern over it.
The project’s cost has been revised to Rs 772.96 crore from Rs 538.44 crore.
Marak said the revision became necessary due to multiple technical and logistical changes in the project.
He said one of the major reasons for the cost escalation is the shifting of the proposed dam site further upstream. The relocation was necessitated after it was learnt that a landfill is proposed near the earlier site at Nonghali village. Following the shift, the dam span has increased significantly from 70 metres to 165 metres, and the number of radial gates has been enhanced from one to three, requiring major structural modifications.
The minister further said that the upstream shift has led to the relocation of the jack well. The terrain around the new site requires extensive excavation, earthwork, and slope stabilisation, further adding to the cost.
The project has also been impacted by fresh compensation demands from local Dorbar Shnongs for laying raw water pumping pipelines across customary lands. Initially, no such demands were raised. Another key component contributing to the revised estimate is the requirement of a dedicated power supply system, which was not included in the original Detailed Project Report. This has now been deemed essential to ensure operational reliability and efficiency, although officials indicated that this component will be reviewed further.
The minister also said that about 1.5 km of existing PWD road will need to be dismantled and restored to facilitate pipeline-laying due to changes in the alignment of the pumping main at Jaroit and Diengpasoh villages.
He added that this adjustment has become unavoidable following the relocation of the dam site.
The minister added that the cumulative impact of these changes has significantly increased civil, mechanical, electrical, and land compensation costs, rendering the original sanctioned estimate inadequate.
Despite the escalation, the government maintains that the project remains critical for ensuring long-term water security for the rapidly developing New Shillong region.
The scheme aims to ensure potable water supply to the upcoming New Shillong Township, Mawkhanu Knowledge City, and 32 adjoining villages. The project has been designed to provide 135 litres per capita per day, with projected population coverage up to the year 2057.
