The Meghalaya High Court has directed the State government to immediately rein in water tankers that are presently charging exorbitant rates for supplying water to residents in various parts of Shillong city.
While hearing the PIL filed by city resident Thomas Passah on the water shortages in the city, the division bench of the High Court also asked the State government to put in place long-term and short-term plans for the immediate future and how the State reckons the demand for water for the next 20 years.
The court also asked the State government to clean and rejuvenate water-bodies in and around the city, particularly the rivers and streams that may have been choked up or completely contaminated.
“The District Council should be tasked with the responsibility of ensuring that local folk who live by the water-bodies act responsibly,” the court said.
It also said that there are Central projects with sufficient funds, particularly to the North-Eastern states, that may be availed of for cleaning of water-bodies in the city.
Directing the State government to file a comprehensive affidavit covering all aspects on these issues, the High Court said that the affidavit should also indicate the outlines of the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme, including whether any place in addition to Mawphlang is proposed as a site for an additional reservoir.
During today’s hearing, a status report was filed by the State pertaining to the water supply in the capital city of Shillong. The next hearing on the PIL will be held on July 21.
