SHILLONG, Oct 15: Three pipeline bursts in barely two weeks have put the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) under scrutiny over the quality of work and supervision of the long-delayed Greater Shillong Water Supply Scheme (GSWSS) Phase III.
The latest incident occurred on Thursday evening at around 6 pm near the Puja pandals close to Hotel Towers, when a newly laid high-pressure pipeline burst, sending water cascading downhill towards Polo Market. It followed earlier failures at Golf Links and Lumshyiap, where a pipeline burst on Wednesday morning reportedly caused a section of the road to cave in.
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. Sources have attributed the bursts to suspected poor workmanship, though the exact causes remain to be established.
The PHED has yet to publicly explain the recurring failures, raising questions over its monitoring of contractors executing the project. Residents have demanded an inquiry and action against those found responsible, citing concerns over the possible wastage of public money.
The latest setback comes amid prolonged delays in a scheme intended to improve water supply to Shillong. Former President Pratibha Patil laid the foundation stone for the project at Mawphlang on October 22, 2008.
Originally estimated at Rs 193 crore with Central funding, the project subsequently received an additional Rs 65 crore from the State Government to facilitate its completion.
With pipelines failing even before commissioning, the department faces questions over whether adequate quality checks and supervision were carried out.