Meghalaya Minister Marks Milestone in Shillong's Long-Awaited Water Revival Efforts

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A long-awaited milestone has been achieved in Shillong, Meghalaya, as Minister Marcuise Marak oversaw the successful testing of pumping systems at the Mawphlang Dam. The development marks a significant step forward in resolving the city's chronic water shortage, a problem that has plagued residents for nearly two decades. The Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase-III, sanctioned in 2008, aims to augment water supply to the capital by drawing raw water from the Mawphlang dam, treating it, and distributing it through new pumping and transmission systems. The scheme has faced numerous delays due to land acquisition hurdles, forest clearance procedures, COVID-era disruptions, and cost escalations. The commissioning of the Mawphlang pumps will enable the release of an additional 8 million litres per day to Shillong, partially bridging the existing deficit of 1.40 crore litres per day. According to 2025 Assembly data, the city requires approximately 5.58 crore litres per day, while the public health engineering department currently supplies only 4.17 crore litres per day. The completion of Phase-III is expected to substantially reduce the gap, with officials planning to stabilise supply lines over the next few weeks. Minister Marak expressed his commitment to ensuring that the long-pending promise of improved water supply for Shillong becomes a reality at the earliest. The successful testing of pumping systems at the Mawphlang Dam is a crucial milestone in the Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase-III, marking a significant step towards resolving the city's chronic water shortage. As the project moves forward, residents of Shillong can look forward to improved water supply and a more reliable source of this essential resource.