Shillong: The Public Health Engineering Department is under fire. Three pipeline bursts in just two weeks have derailed the long-delayed Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme Phase III. The latest disaster struck at 6 pm on Thursday near Hotel Towers. A high-pressure pipe failed, sending water flooding toward Polo Market.
Failures are piling up. Similar bursts occurred at Golf Links and Lumshyiap, where a pipe rupture on Wednesday morning destroyed a section of the road. Critics blame poor workmanship and shoddy supervision for the disasters. The PHED has yet to issue a formal explanation regarding the testing failures. Residents now demand an inquiry, citing concerns over the waste of public funds.
This project has a history of frustration. Former President Pratibha Patil laid the foundation stone at Mawphlang on October 22, 2008. The price tag ballooned from the original Rs 193 crore estimate as the State Government added Rs 65 crore to push for completion. Observers remain skeptical of the oversight provided to contractors. Sources noted, "The repeated failures during testing have raised concerns over the quality of pipe installation, connecting joints and the checks conducted before the system is subjected to pressure."
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