Jowai Renovated Water Supply Schemes finally inaugurated after 20 years

Russel NongrumMay 27, 2022

Shelved or delayed for the past 20 years for whatever reasons it may be, the much awaited and talked about Jowai Renovation Water Supply Scheme finally see the light of the day on Friday’s afternoon to ease the water crisis in Jowai Town, West Jaintia Hills District.

The scheme was conceptualised by the Government of Meghalaya and funded by Ministry of DoNER under NLCPR in the year 2002 at an amount of Rs.1541.13 lakh. It will provide water supply to Jowai Town at 7.59 MLD of water service to all the categories of consumers, improve period of service & extend the distribution services to the Urban area for the next 30 years i.e 2034 and the project is designed to cover an ultimate population of 62000 persons population.

The source of the scheme drawn from Umngot River in Sohmynting village and notably River Umngot is one of the 3 major rivers that originated from Shillong peek besides River Umiam and River Umkhen.

Umngot River is perennially flowing and having sufficient dry weather discharge of the river by 97.20 MLD.

The Jowai Renovation Water Water Supply Scheme was inaugurated by Public Health Engineering Minister Renikton Tongkhar at PHE Treatment Plant, Urkhla, Jowai in the presence of Urban Affairs Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla.

Tongkhar lauded his cabinet colleague Urban Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Jowai MLA for their tremendous effort to complete the long-awaited Jowai Renovation Water Supply Scheme.

He said the Government is tirelessly working to provide household tap to 5 lakh 8 thousand household in the state under Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and remaining 40 thousand household will be sanction soon to provide water to these household.

The MDA government under the leadership of Conrad K Sangma is a proactive a government which dares to take up border issue by its horns in the right tracks with the Assam Government, the PHE Minister flayed the previous government for not daring to take up the border issues, which is very sensitive.

He also said that when they finally settle the border dispute with Assam all those who protest will be the first and foremost to happy and pleased.

Defending the MDA government on the recent collapse of the dome of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly building under construction, Tongkhar admitted it is a big blow and many criticized the government but under this government that our dream is made of real things.

Urban Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar claimed the Meghalaya is the best state in implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission. He also praised the Local MLA for taking the initiative to speed up the construction of Jowai Water Supply Scheme.

Jowai MLA Wailadmiki Shylla urged the urban minister to include Jowai town under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) to esure that the growing population of Jowai town has access to supply of water and a sewerage connection.

Earlier Executive Engineer PHE Electrical Division Paul Synnah informed that to complete the Jowai Renovation Water Supply has to seek additional fund of Rs 60 lakhs and Rs 50 lakhs to pay electricity bill and load security to MePDCL to commission and to start drawn water from Umngot River.

Meanwhile, Chief Engineer PHE, CR Challam said that to ensure smooth water supply for Jowai additional amount of Rs. 4.48 cr has been sanction for renovation and replacement of the existing water pump set. He also said that Micro Processor at cost of Rs 3.72 cr will be install to prevent breakdown of electricity for pumping of water and stressed on the department to maintain the water quality.

PHE Minister also laid a foundation stone for Khliehtyrshi Combined Water Supply Scheme and Mihmyntdu Water Supply Scheme funded under the Jal Jeevan Mission at an amount of Rs. 24,35,10000 cr and Rs. 32,33,78000 cr.

Among others present on the occasion were Chief Executive Member JHADC Thombor Shiwat, MDCs, Deputy Commissioner LSN Garod Dykes, Superintendent of Police Bikram D Marak, former CEM JHADC Madonbai Rymbai besides PHE officials and waheh shnong of Jowai Localities, Khliehtyrshi and Mihmyntdu.