Out of 6,51,412 targeted households in Meghalaya, 4,80,039 houses are now connected with tap water supply provided under the Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme.
This was informed by PHE Minister Marcuise Marak to media persons here today even as he expressed the hope that the department is hoping to achieve 100 per cent implementation by March this year.
“As of today under JJM we have achieved 73.69 per cent coverage. So we are progressing,” he said.
Marak however said that the PHE Department continues to face challenges in terms of land when setting up the project and these areas are mainly in the Khasi Hills region.
“There were land issues as most land owners were not allowing the construction of water tanks and in some situations construction of dams were not allowed. But that has been resolved now but some of the projects are still stuck,” he informed.
Another setback in the implementation of JJM is due to the power connection issues that still persist. Marak said that he will flag this issue with the chief minister soon and a review meeting will be held to sort out this problem.
“Most of the projects in Jaintia and East Khasi Hills need power connection because most of them are pumping projects. We have directed our officials to get in touch with the MeECL and work along with them. And in most of these projects the power connection payment has been done but we are still waiting for the electricity connection. The main problem is because some of the places are away from the main power line and so they need materials like poles and wires. We have been informed that they are in the process of procuring the materials,” Marak said.
Earlier during the day, Marak held a meeting with the Commissioner and Secretary of PHE Department to get an update from all PHE sub-divisions regarding the progress of JJM.
Marak said that once the department gets the update then he will be able to take it up with the chief minister about the issues involved.
Concerning complaints received about taps not bringing any water supply, Marak explained that the pipes are laid only after the water reaches the treatment plant.
“From the treatment plant it goes to the reservoir where the distribution lines are connected to the households,” he said.
Marak also informed that the PHE Department has received a sanction for a bulk water supply scheme in West Garo Hills.
According to him, the project is estimated to cost Rs 100 crore and tender will soon be floated and the scheme is expected to be completed in two years. The source of water supply for this bulk water supply scheme will be Ganol river.
