Shah told during the program that the Narendra Modi government is taking necessary steps to provide drinking water to every household.
Shillong, July 25 (PTI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday inaugurated a water supply project designed to benefit over 20,000 people in East Khasi Hills in the presence of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and other dignitaries.
Official sources said the ‘Greater Sohra Water Supply Scheme’ envisaged by the state government and funded by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) would cost Rs 24.08 crore.
Shah told during the program that the Narendra Modi government is taking necessary steps to provide drinking water to every household.
“As part of the Prime Minister’s ambitious ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’, the donor ministry and the Meghalaya government have shaped the project, under which pure drinking water will be made available through taps,” Shah said.
He said that if the source of water is not pure then people can fall ill.
“Prior to the completion of 75 years of India’s independence, PM Modi has set a target of providing pure drinking water to every household of the country,” he said.
Donor Minister G Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Donor BL Verma and Minister of State for Science and Technology Jitendra Singh and PHE Minister Renicton Lyngdoh were present at the inauguration.
According to official sources, the project will tap the source of Wah Lingkasiyar Falls and another spring to supply water to 12 habitations near Sohra in Sohra Town and East Khasi Hills.
During the day, Shah also launched the ‘Sohra Afforestation Project’, a joint initiative of the Assam Rifles and the Meghalaya government.
As part of the venture, fuel trees will be planted, nurseries will be established, and efforts will be made to build the capacity of local communities in managing natural resources.
Shah underlined the importance of afforestation and tree plantation after launching the project.
He said that earlier Cherrapunji used to have rains throughout the year, but due to indiscriminate harvesting, the situation has changed.
Complimenting the Assam Rifles for this initiative, he said, “Our country remains intact because of the paramilitary forces that have been deployed to guard its borders. In the last two years, they are also shouldering the responsibility of improving the environment,” he said.
Shah further said that a target has been set to plant one million trees in the next three years in different parts of the country.
“Today the whole world is fighting against global warming and climate change. To reduce carbon emissions, PM Narendra Modi has distributed a large number of LPG cylinders across the country. India is at the forefront of generating hydroelectricity and solar power.
“With PM Modi’s proposed action plan in the Paris Agreement, the whole world is fighting against global warming and carbon emissions,” he said.
Later in the day, the Home Minister left for Assam.
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