Shillong: In a significant development for the capital city’s long-standing water supply issues, Meghalaya’s Public Health Engineering Minister Marcuise Marak on Wednesday supervised the testing of pumping systems at the Mawphlang Dam. This initiative is part of the long-delayed Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase-III, nearly 17 years after the project was initially sanctioned.

---

Phase-III of Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme

The GSWSS-III, originally approved in 2008, is designed to augment water supply to Shillong, addressing the chronic shortage that has affected large parts of the city for years. Once operational, the newly tested pumping systems at Mawphlang Dam will enable the release of an additional 8 million litres per day (MLD) to the city.

The minister called the successful testing a “significant step forward” toward resolving the city’s persistent water scarcity. “The government is committed to ensuring that the long-pending promise of improved water supply for Shillong becomes a reality at the earliest,” Marak said during the inspection.

---

Historical Delays and Challenges

The project, sanctioned at an initial cost of ₹193 crore, has faced multiple delays and revisions over the years due to several challenges, including:

• Land acquisition hurdles
• Forest clearance procedures
• COVID-era disruptions
• Repeated cost escalations

Despite these setbacks, the GSWSS-III aims to draw raw water from Mawphlang Dam, treat it at the existing purification plant, and distribute it to the Greater Shillong area through new pumping and transmission systems.

According to 2025 Assembly data, Shillong requires approximately 5.58 crore litres per day, whereas the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department currently supplies only 4.17 crore litres per day, leaving a shortfall of 1.40 crore litres per day. Officials said that the commissioning of GSWSS-III is expected to partially bridge this gap, and full-scale distribution is anticipated in the coming weeks following stabilization of supply lines.

---

Impact on Residents

Shillong has faced chronic water shortages for years, compelling residents to rely on private tankers, seasonal springs, and community-managed sources. The GSWSS-III has repeatedly been highlighted by successive state governments as a key intervention to expand the city’s water network and improve urban living conditions.

A senior PHE official stated:

“Completion of Phase-III will substantially reduce the gap in supply. Over the next few weeks, we will focus on stabilising the supply lines and ensuring consistent distribution across the city.”

Once operational, the scheme is expected to improve access to clean and reliable water, particularly in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved.

---

Government’s Commitment

Marak emphasized that the government is focused on fast-tracking the remaining work and ensuring that the benefits of Phase-III reach Shillong residents promptly. He highlighted that the testing of pumps represents a major milestone in a project that has been pending for nearly two decades, underscoring the administration’s commitment to urban infrastructure development and public welfare.

---

Technical Overview

GSWSS-III involves modern pumping and transmission systems designed to:

• Draw raw water from Mawphlang Dam
• Treat water at existing purification facilities
• Distribute water across Greater Shillong

The scheme incorporates advanced technologies to ensure efficient delivery and minimal losses, addressing both quantity and quality issues that have plagued the city’s water supply network.

---

Looking Ahead

With the phase now tested and ready for operationalisation, Meghalaya officials anticipate that Shillong’s water distribution network will see significant improvement in coverage and reliability. Stabilization and fine-tuning of the system over the next few weeks will be critical to ensuring consistent supply, particularly in water-deficit zones.

The successful testing also signals that long-delayed infrastructure projects can be revived and completed, serving as a model for other states facing urban water challenges.

In conclusion, the Mawphlang Dam pumping system test marks a key milestone in resolving Shillong’s water shortage, potentially providing millions of residents with greater access to clean and reliable water and addressing a problem that has persisted for nearly two decades.