Tura ( Meghalaya), Feb 17 : Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma today said that the State needs to achieve 11.5 percent annual growth (GDP) to fructify its ambitious target of touching the 10 billion US dollar economy by 2028.
“At present, the state has an economy of 45,000 cr, which needs to be improved. It is an herculean task but as a government, we have planned the roadmap to achieve the target,” he said, while laying the foundation of Rs. 100 cr Bulk Water Supply Project at Ballonggre, Tura.
The foundation for “Bulk Water Supply to Adjoining Rural Villages of Tura Town” project was laid in presence of Speaker Thomas Sangma, PHE Minister Marcuise Marak and Lok Sabha MP Agatha K. Sangma.
The project estimated close to Rs. 100 cr is funded by the Ministry of DoNER under North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS). On completion, it will provide water to about 41 villages under Rongram, Rerapara and Gambegre block of West and South West Garo Hills district. It will also increase the water supply to the urban area of Tura town.
In absence of the project, these villages were dependent on the Tura Urban Water Supply Scheme. The project will be a river pumping scheme from Ganol river. The scheme comprises pump houses, construction of reservoirs, treatment plant, water pumping, staff quarters, etc.
He said that the government has envisaged a vision for the State and is making investments. He said that investments are being made to create better and sustainable infrastructure, job creation through entrepreneurship and innovative policies and programmes to double the farmers income.
He also informed that a thrust has been given to improve the overall rural economy by focusing on enterprises that will leverage the potential of the rich natural resources of the State.
Talking about the poor performance of the State in various sectors, he said that in the past five years, the MDA 2.0 government has been able to address different challenges.
He said that Meghalaya is marching ahead and has been recognized as ‘best performer’ in implementation of various schemes of the central government including PMGSY, PMAY, JJM, MGNREGS and has received awards and bonuses.
“Prior to 2019, the PHE department had less than 50 cr as budget. At present, the budget has increased to Rs. 3000 crore and the focus is on creation of better infrastructure to overcome various challenges related to adequate water supply”, he said, while informing about the State Water Policy and other flagship schemes to address concerns on climate change.
Launching MegARISE at Tura, a project with focus on the protection of vulnerable catchment areas in the State. He said, “This project focuses on safeguarding the critical Umiew catchment in East Khasi Hills (EKH) district and the essential Ganol catchment in West Garo Hills (WGH) district. These catchments serve as lifelines for two of Meghalaya’s most densely populated cities, Shillong and Tura”.
He informed that the State government has partnered with KfW (German Development Bank) to implement the project. The project will benefit 106 villages across 39 micro-watersheds within these catchment areas. The project will be implemented over a period of 7 years with total financial outlay of Rs. 344 crore and will be executed by Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA).
