Shillong, Feb 3: Meghalaya’s Soil & Water Conservation Minister, Marcuise N Marak, has announced the construction of 532 water storage facilities under the Climate-Adaptive Community-Based Water Harvesting Project, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). With the tendering process complete, work is set to commence in February, beginning with the East Khasi Hills District.
“It is under the Soil and Water Conservation Department,” Marak stated. “It’s called the Climate-Adaptive and Community-Based Water Harvesting Project. It has been tendered out, and work orders are being prepared. The first phase for Shillong, East Khasi Hills, has been sorted pending final ADB approval. Once approved, we will award the work to selected contractors and extend the project to Garo Hills as well.”
The minister detailed the tendering process, explaining that both technical and financial bids were considered. “Contractors who qualify in the technical bid will have their financial bids opened. Based on these, work will be allotted, and the project launched immediately,” Marak added.
When asked about the timeline, Marak expressed optimism, saying, “Most probably, we may launch it by February.”
While he could not confirm the precise number of projects in the East Khasi Hills, the Minister emphasized that tenders had been floated state-wide and described the figure as “a good number.”
The project is expected to take 24 to 36 months to complete, with close monitoring by both the ADB and the Soil & Water Conservation Department.
The initiative aims to bolster Meghalaya’s water storage capacity, ensuring sustainable water management and climate resilience across the state.
. With the tendering process complete, work is set to commence in February, beginning with the East Khasi Hills District.){kind=link}