Shillong, Jul 22: The Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly today conducted a site inspection of three major projects being implemented in the state – the Pohkseh Water Supply Scheme, the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme at Mawpdang and the 2nd IT Park building at the Shillong Technology Campus.
The visit was led by the committee Chairman, Mayralborn Syiem MLA. Committee members Miani D Shira MLA, Renikton Lyngdoh Tongkhar MLA and Remington G Momin MLA also participated. They were accompanied by officials from the Assembly Secretariat, the Public Health Engineering Department and the Information Technology Department.
The committee visited the New Shillong Water Supply Scheme at Mawpdang in New Shillong. Officials of the PHE Department briefed the members on the various components, including the treatment plant and related infrastructure already installed at the site.
Reviewing the progress, Syiem said the physical and financial progress of the scheme was satisfactory. “This project is well on track. We have been informed that the first phase, which includes the dam, the main gravity line and the treatment plant, will be commissioned and completed by December 2027,” he informed.
He expressed optimism that the project would be completed within the stipulated timeline. In the second phase, the distribution network will be taken up to ensure proper water supply to various localities in New Shillong, he added.
Earlier, at Pohkseh, the committee reviewed the status of the Water Supply Scheme. Syiem informed that the pumping system at the existing site had collapsed a few years ago and the matter was earlier flagged to the committee. “The incident that has happened is unfortunate. It is not anyone’s fault. We have instructed the department to identify a new location for the scheme,” he said.
Syiem expressed hope that the PHE Department would prepare the revised estimates at the earliest. He added that once the new site is finalized, work can be taken up to provide safe drinking water to households in the locality.
Lastly, the committee visited the 2nd IT Park building on the Shillong Technology Campus. Syiem said the committee was satisfied with the progress of work, which, despite several challenges faced by the IT Department, has seen satisfactory physical and financial progress.
