Approval of flood management programme
SHILLONG: Water Resources Minister Rowell Lyngdoh has expressed displeasure over the delay on the part of the Centre to approve the flood management programme for two city rivers– the Wahumkhrah and the Umshyrpi.
Speaking to The Shillong Times, Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Water Resources, Lyngdoh said that the proposal of the State Government is shuffling from one Central department to another and there is no word from the Union Government on when it will be approved.
The State Water Resources department has prepared a Rs 50-crore Detailed Project Report (DPR) for flood management programme for the protection of the two rivers.
According to Lyngdoh, the State Government has time and again reminded the Centre about the urgency of the project.
In February this year, Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Uma Bharati had said that the Centre is working on the flood management programme for the two Shillong rivers “in a fast track mode”.
The programme aims to tackle floods caused by the two rivers during monsoon. As part of the programme, the State Government plans to construct drains along the small streams which flow to the Wahumkhrah.
The DPR has been designed with an aim to create awareness among the general public on the need to preserve and protect the rivers.
