The Meghalaya government is all set to begin a Rs 772.96 crore New Shillong Township Water Supply Scheme after revising the earlier sanctioned cost of Rs 538.44 crore, following major design modifications, relocation of the dam site and expanded infrastructure requirements.
The revised estimate reflects an increase of 43.55 per cent, amounting to an additional Rs 234.52 crore. The project is intended to supply potable water to New Shillong Township, Mawkhanu Knowledge City and 32 surrounding villages, with a design horizon extending up to 2057.
Officials said the cost escalation was primarily triggered by the shifting of the dam location from the originally identified site at Nonghali village after it was found that a landfill site had also been proposed nearby, raising environmental concerns.
To mitigate risks, the dam was relocated further upstream, leading to significant engineering redesign. The dam span has now been increased from 70 metres to 165 metres, while the number of radial gates has been raised from one to three, along with other structural adjustments.
The relocation also necessitated changes in associated infrastructure, including the jackwell, which was shifted upstream. This has resulted in additional earthwork and slope stabilisation requirements, involving extensive excavation and soil reinforcement.
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“Officials said one of the key reasons for the cost escalation was the shifting of the dam location after it was found that a landfill site had also been proposed near the originally identified site at Nonghali village. The dam was subsequently moved further upstream to avoid environmental risks,” the official clarification note stated.
Another major component of the revised estimate includes compensation for local Dorbar Shnongs for laying raw water pipelines through customary land.
Officials noted that such compensation requirements were not anticipated at the detailed project report stage but have since become necessary.
The updated proposal also includes a dedicated power supply system to ensure uninterrupted water distribution, which was not part of the original plan. Officials said the creation of an independent power infrastructure has now become essential for operational reliability.
Additional costs have further been attributed to road restoration works, including the dismantling and excavation of around 1.5 km of PWD road due to realignment of pipelines near Jaroit and Diengpasoh villages.
The government maintained that the revised estimate ensures environmental safeguards, structural stability, community cooperation and long-term reliability of water supply for the growing township and adjoining regions.
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