Mani Shankar Aiyar inaugurates water project

Aizawl, May 20 (UNI) In order to avoid the need of additional funds a project should be planned properly, according to DoNER Minister and North East Council (NEC) Chairman Mani Shankar Aiyar said.

While inaugurated the Greater Aizawl Water Supply Scheme (GAWSS) Phase II at Dihmunzawl near here yesterday, Mr Aiyar stressed on the importance of accurate projects.

He also assured to saction the required additional fund of Rs five crores for completion of the project and arrange direct meetings between the Central and State officials on any project henceforth.

However, he was disappointed over the project's capacity of 12 MLD (million litres per day) instead of the initial target of 30.357 MLD.

The GAWSS Phase II of Rs 71.8 crores was a part of the Rs 176.55 Integrated Project of Aizawl (IPA) and was formulated in 1996 to solve the acute water crisis.

The Phase I of the project with a capacity of 10.8 MLD, was unable to meet the ever-increasing demand of 80,000 population.

The project was approved by the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) in 1997 with the funding pattern of 75:25 between Centre and State.

However, Chief Minister Zoramthanga said the project needed to be revised.

Last year, the DoNER accepted the revised estimated cost of Rs 90.78 crores with Rs 71.8 crores central share and Rs 18.98 crores state share, he said.

He also pointed out that the state had released Rs 26.3 crores instead of its share of Rs 18.98 crores, to expedite commissioning of the project and urged the Centre to release its balance share of Rs five crores.

The trial run was made and distribution of water commenced from March 13, official sources added.

UNI