New Delhi: Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Tuesday urged Union Minister for Water Resources Uma Bharati to personally intervene and clear two externally- aided mega water projects worth over two thousand crore rupees and other water projects to mitigate problems of this natural resource both in case of irrigation and personal use.
Sangma who met the Minister at her office on Tuesday pointed out that Meghalaya has already submitted two projects for funding by Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA) and Asian Development Bank (ADB) worth Rs.2,195 crore.
“The Ministry is required to take action for addressing the issues so that sanctions and clearances can be expeditiously issued during the current working season itself,” he said.
The Union Minister assured that the Centre will take up the issue for an early clearance of the twin projects.
Sangma also sought the Minster’s help for controlling flash floods along the Wahumkhrah and Umshyrpi rivers which is already pending with the Ministry.
Meghalaya is predominantly a hilly terrain with limited valley areas and the State is endowed with the plenty of rainfall but it experiences shortage of water during the summer. This may be due to high surface run off, as the area is hilly with steep slopes, the Chief Minister explained.
“Hence the State, in assistance with the JICA, has submitted a proposal for development of multipurpose reservoirs for integrated water management and livelihood improvement worth one thousand crore rupees,” Sangma said.
Meghalaya has also submitted a project worth Rs.1,195 crore for construction of rain water harvesting structures and small ponds with assistance from Asian Development Bank, the Chief Minister said. Despite having two water basins its hydrological units are under stress as evident from the drying of springs and water sources, declining water storage capacities and reduced depth of flow of streams and rivers due to excessive human use, and sedimentation, he said.
That is why the thrust areas of the IBDLP include integrated water resources management, creation of small multipurpose reservoirs, generating water centric livelihoods such as fisheries, aquaculture, drinking water supply, mini hydel irrigation and eco-system promotion.
The Chief Minister also demanded that the allocation for Meghalaya under AIBP should be increased from the existing Rs.81 crore to Rs.249 crore in commensurate with the state’s demand for development of irrigation projects.
“New proposals for few important projects during this year may also be considered by the Centre under the overall allocation of NE states where each ministry is supposed to set aside 10 per cent of its budget,” he added.
Next Brahmaputra Board meeting in Shillong
Stressing the need for a detailed water mapping of the North East, Water Resource Minister Uma Bharati said that she would be holding the next meeting of the Brahmaputra Board in Shillong.
Chief Minister Mukul Sangma conveyed that the Brahmaputra Board has been unable to deliver desired benefits and it needed complete overhaul.
The Union Minister showed keen interest in the various river projects of Meghalaya and assured all necessary help to the State from her Ministry.
Sangma sought the Centre’s help in de-silting of rivers in the State and suggested that soil taken out after de-silting can be used for construction of embankments. He suggested that a pilot project on this can be started in Meghalaya.
Sangma also conveyed to the Minister his plans of developing Meghalaya as a major water sports and tourist destination and sought the Ministry’s help in this regard. On her part, Bharati requested the Chief Minister to prepare and submit a comprehensive river development proposal for Meghalaya.
