PHE minister to review various projects, says GSWSS-III to be completed by March next year

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaNovember 25, 2024

Minister in-charge PHE Marcuise N Marak will soon review implementation of the various projects by the department. 

Speaking to media persons, Marak said he would review the projects in the three divisions on November 28.”I will be reviewing PHE department. On November 28, I am going to Mawkyrwat to review three divisions – Mairang, Nongstoin and Mawkyrwat. I will go for site inspection as well,” he informed.

“I will be reviewing JJM and other projects as well,” the minister said.

Marak said as per report, everything is going on well as per specification and as per the normal works, which needs to continue. 

“Things are going on in good pace but then I wanted to know myself by visiting the sites. I want to see how far the progress is going on,” he added.

Asked, the minister informed that the department is proposing to have operation and maintenance rules.

“We are going to have operation and maintenance rules, which will be passed very soon, it is pending for cabinet approval and once it is approved, I will make sure things move in regards to all projects under the PHE department,” he said.

On the status of the much awaited Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS – III), the minister said, “Now everything is on the right track. Work, which was pending for so long, already started. I have to review myself that project also now. After reviewing only I will be able to tell you the status of the work.”

He said the new target for completion of the project has been set in March, next year.

Further, the minister informed, “After the 3rd enhancement of the project, there should not be any financial difficulties for the GSWSS phase III.”

On delay to complete the projects, the minister said that land is a big issue.

“Some projects are delay because of land issue. There was series of discussion – that is also one of the reasons.

Some of the projects are getting delayed because of want of forest clearances. There are lots of procedures to go due to which it took lots of time – this is the reason why we took so long,” he said.

Regarding the drying up of water sources in the state, the minster appealed to the citizen of the state to help in the conservation and protection of water bodies. 

“I want to appeal to the citizen of Meghalalya, we cannot do anything about the sources going down, flow of the sources are very less and that is why the government is taking lots of initiatives to revive those dry sources and some of the dry sources, which needs to be rejuvenated, some projects are on the pipelines. 

Once this is done, we will be able to address the situation we are facing,” he stated.