Shillong, Sep 9: The state capital is surviving on less than 75 per cent of its required daily water supply from the Public Health Engineering Department, the Assembly heard today, with areas in Mawlai even worse off.
Mawlai MLA Brightstarwell Marbaniang, of the opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP), put forth a query on the subject in the Assembly today.
In response, Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak said Shillong, including areas outside the Greater Water Supply Scheme (Phase I & II), needs over 5.58 crore litres of drinking water every day. At present, the supply is just 4.17 crore litres, leaving a gap of 1.40 crore litres (more than 25 per cent) daily.
In Mawlai, the situation is even more worrying. The locality requires 92.5 lakh litres daily but receives only 64.75 lakh litres, resulting in a shortfall of nearly 28 lakh litres (30 per cent) every day.
The minister said the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (Phase III) will help reduce the gap once it is completed. For Mawlai, he pointed to an ongoing Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) project covering Umshillong, Lummawnei, Umthlong, Mawiong and BL-13, along with more schemes being planned.
Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the house that a new Rs 700 crore Shillong water supply scheme has already been sanctioned. He said the Wahrynthem project, which will draw water from the Umngot river at Dawki, is expected to provide an additional 33 million litres per day.
However, Leader of the Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma of the Trinamool Congress cautioned that climate change and erratic rainfall could affect the long-term availability of water. In reply, the CM said the government is working on externally aided projects focusing on spring rejuvenation, catchment protection and natural resource management. He also highlighted the role of the Meghalaya Climate Council in ensuring coordinated action across departments.
