SHILLONG, March 17 - Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Public Health Engineering, RC Laloo today informed the Assembly that there has been a shortage of potable drinking water in the State Capital and its outskirts due to leakages in the water distribution system.
Replying to a Motion moved by Jemino Mawthoh from United Democratic Party, he said the State Capital and the surrounding urban conglomerates require 49.06 million litres of water per day. However, the distribution sources have been able to provide only 43.03 million litres of water per day leading to the shortage.
Giving details, he said, water from Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase I and II is able to supply 31.44 million litres of water per day and from other sources 11.59 million litres of water per day.
He said much of the water supply from GSWSS in Mawphlang is getting wasted due to leakages in the distribution pipes. Laloo, moreover, attributed the shortage on the growing population in the urban centres of the city. Further the loss of catchment area remains an �area of concern� and the Government is trying to protect such areas under the Catchment Area Act, he said.
Laloo added the Government is trying to arrest this shortage by implementing the Phase III of GSWSS and work would again begin after funds are sanctioned by the Centre. The Deputy CM informed the House that GSWSS phase III has been included in the list of incomplete projects under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Transformation and the Centre has assured funds for its completion.
