Shillong, May 8: The government of Meghalaya has proposed a revised estimate of Rs 772.96 crore for the New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme, marking a sharp increase from the originally sanctioned Rs 538.44 crore due to major design modifications and infrastructure changes linked to environmental and technical concerns.
According to an official clarification note, the revised estimate represents a 43.55 per cent escalation, amounting to an additional Rs 234.52 crore for the project, which aims to provide potable water to New Shillong Township, Mawkhanu Knowledge City and 32 adjoining villages. The scheme has been designed with projected population coverage extending up to 2057.
Officials said one of the primary reasons behind the cost increase was the shifting of the proposed dam site after it emerged that a landfill project had also been planned near the originally identified location at Nonghali village. To avoid environmental risks, the dam was relocated further upstream.
The relocation significantly altered the engineering specifications of the project. Authorities stated that the span of the dam increased from 70 metres to 165 metres, while the number of radial gates was raised from one to three, necessitating major structural redesigns.
The revised estimate also factors in additional earthwork required for jackwell slope stabilisation following the upstream relocation of the dam. Officials noted that the new topography in the area requires extensive excavation, soil stabilisation and related engineering work.
Another contributor to the revised expenditure is compensation being sought by local Dorbar Shnongs for laying raw water pipelines across customary lands. The clarification note stated that no such demands were raised during the initial stage of the project, but compensation claims have since emerged.
The government further acknowledged that the original Detailed Project Report did not include provisions for a dedicated power supply system. Officials said independent power infrastructure has now become essential to ensure uninterrupted and reliable water supply operations.
Road restoration work has also added to the projected expenditure. Around 1.5 kilometres of existing PWD roads will need to be dismantled and excavated for pipeline laying following changes in the alignment of the pumping main near Jaroit village and Diengpasoh village.
The clarification note stated that the revised estimate is necessary to ensure environmental safety by avoiding landfill proximity, maintain structural and hydraulic stability, secure community cooperation through compensation measures and guarantee uninterrupted water supply infrastructure for the region.
