Shillong, Nov 25: The Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, led by Nongpoh MLA Mayralborn Syiem, conducted an inspection on Tuesday of two crucial projects in South West Garo Hills district.
The committee reviewed the status, progress, and challenges of the Maternity & Child Hospital (MCH) at Mahendraganj and the Greater Ampati Water Supply Project at Arenggre, with a strong emphasis on ensuring their timely completion.
During the inspection of MCH project, the team was shown around the site by Director of Health Services (MCH&FW) Dr. Neela E. Kharsanoh, along with senior state and district health officials—including the Health Engineering Wing (HEW).
They later briefed the committee on the project’s progress at a brief meeting held at Ampati Circuit House. Work on the project began in November 2022 and has reached 78 per cent physical progress, with an expenditure of Rs. 10.98 crore to date. Officials cited land-related challenges as the primary cause of delays. Although the project is slated for completion by March 2026, key components such as water supply, electricity, and human resources remain pending.
The committee expressed concern that the MCH is lagging behind similar projects in other districts. It stressed the need for parallel progress on infrastructure and HR deployment and urged the department to expedite pending works in coordination with line departments such as PHE and MePDCL. The Committee also asked the department to share with them all necessary documents for follow-up.
Earlier, during the inspection of the Greater Ampati Water Supply Project, PHE officials outlined the challenges faced during implementation. Executed under SPA funding, the project encountered setbacks related to water source identification, land issues, and opposition from various groups at different stages. Despite persistent hurdles, the project has achieved 89 per cent physical progress and, once completed, is expected to benefit over 7,500 households across 74 villages in and around Ampati and Betasing.
Noting the multiple timeline extensions, the committee reaffirmed its responsibility to ensure that the project is completed within a defined timeframe. Members assured the Nokma and local residents present at the site that their visit was aimed at ensuring that the community’s long-standing needs and aspirations are addressed.
