Local Dorbars not cooperating in pipe laying work: PHED
SHILLONG: The Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) has faced a major setback due to shortage of fund. Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh informed over telephone that an amount of Rs.17 crore was deducted from the project due to the failure of the State Government to conform to various reforms as recommended by the Centre. She admitted that the deduction of such a huge amount will have a huge impact on the implementation of the project.
“The State Government is left with no option but to avail the balance amount to complete the project from other sources,” Lyngdoh said. The Minister, however, assured that the State Government would make all efforts to see that the project is completed at the earliest for the overall interest of the people residing in Shillong and its conglomeration. Meanwhile, sources in the PHED have indicated that the department is likely to seek an extension from the State Government for completion of Phase III of the GSWSS. The stipulated deadline to complete Phase III ends in March 2015. The project has been progressing at a snail’s pace with pipe laying work yet to be completed in several localities of the city. The PHED has, however, attributed the delay to the non cooperation of the Dorbar Shnong in providing necessary permission to lay the pipes in their respective localities. Under Phase III of the GSWSS, 135 litres of potable water per head per day would be provided for a population of 5.12 lakh.
