Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma on February 24 laid the foundation for the Greater Baghmara Water Supply Project at South Garo Hills district.
The project has been jointly funded through central and state share, including the Union Ministry of DoNER at an estimated cost of Rs 6,350 lakh crore.
The scheme is envisaged to provide adequate water supply to Baghmara town and 16 neighbouring villages in Meghalaya. It intends to cover the present population of 25676. The number of households proposed to be covered by the project area is 2340.
First instalment of Rs 10 crore for the project was released in January and the target for completion of the project is two years. “This is an ambitious project of our government, which will go a long way in providing potable drinking water to the citizens of Baghmara town and 16 en-route villages. This is the Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) fulfilling its promise to the people of South Garo Hills district,” Sangma said.
“There has been a sense of neglect for districts like South Garo Hills for many years and therefore, the MDA government has aimed to ensure that we make up for all the development work that these districts have been deprived of for years. South Garo Hills contributes one of the highest revenues to our state because of its forest cover, mines, and minerals, yet, it is one of the most neglected districts and that is why through the span of my visits to the districts, I made it a point to change its course by sanctioning various projects to uplift the district,” the Meghalaya chief minister said.
Asserting his commitment to the district, Sangma said: “Laying of the foundation is not the end and I am personally committed to the completion of what we start. We will see the projects through by monitoring them regularly.”
State public health engineering minister Renikton Lyngdoh said: “As members of the MDA government, we are extremely happy to come to Baghmara to bring good news to the people about this project. We were here a few months ago to announce the Baghmara College project and we are glad to be here again to bring another project for the benefit of the people.”
