Shillong, Mar 3: The state government has constructed over 1,600 springsheds under the MGNREGA in the last five years, said Chief Minister Conrad Sangma in his reply to a question raised by Heavingstone Kharpran on the floor of the House on Monday.
The precise number of springsheds constructed is 1,601, which has been done for Rs 46.62 crore.
“All citizens can access most of the information regarding this on meghalayacmdashboard.in,” said Sangma.
The chief minister said Meghalaya is among the states in the country with a water policy. “We also have a climate council and all water-related departments are members. Earlier, the departments would work in silo but we are coordinating now for all projects,” said Sangma, adding that these springsheds are taken care of by communities.
Over 70,000 springsheds have been identified of which 55,000 are mapped across Meghalaya and steps are being taken to rejuvenate 792 critical water bodies on a war footing.
Water related projects worth over Rs 4,000 crore are being implemented in the state.
Ropeway & water projects
VPP legislator from Nongkrem Ardent Miller Basaiawmoit wanted to know if the Shillong ropeway project would affect the water sources in the area to which the chief minister said, “Detailed mapping where pillars will be installed have been done by the forest department, soil and water conservation and international agencies to ensure we are not affecting water sources and forest areas. Therefore, assessment is being done at multiple levels.”
He said that the issue has been looked into where the forest department has emphasized the need for trimming of trees to avoid need to cut down many trees and also creation of firelines to prevent forest fire.
