Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme phase-III likely to be completed by Dec: Marak

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaSeptember 26, 2023

PHE Minister Marcuise N Marak on Tuesday informed that the department is hoping to complete the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) phase-III by December, this year.

Speaking to reporters, Marak said, “If we get the clearance, we are hoping to complete the GSWSS-III by December, this year.”

He said the department is seeking another Rs 66 crore to meet the escalation cost of the project. According to him, approximately Rs 300 crore has been sanctioned for implementation of the project.

Marak said that the GSWSS-III also got delayed due to various reasons including fund constraints.

“It was sanctioned in the year 2008. By the time it was sanctioned, immediately we call the tender and the work was awarded. First instalment was released and later on, several instalments got delayed because of late release from Government of India and there was some change of guard also, that is why it was delayed,” he said.

He said another reason was because the PHE was not getting permission from the Public Works Department (PWD) for laying the pipeline for distribution of water to the 12 zones in the entire Shillong city.

“We have called for the tender. Out of 12 zones, the pipes have to cross through the PWD roads. The department was not giving the instant clearances for crossing the roads. There also we took lots of time and then forest clearances were also delayed and the cantonment board also took some time to get the clearance.”

The minister said the failure of the department to get the clearance from the Hima Mawphlang for construction of the pumping (station) at a place very close to the Umiew River also led to the further delay in completion of the GSWSS-III.

He however informed that the department is expecting that the Hima Mawphlang will issue clearance by next week.

 “The clearance is required for construction of the pumping (station) for pumping the water from the river Umiew to the reservoir and then to the treatment plant,” he said.