Meghalaya: Government plans to build 1000 small multipurpose reservoirs with ADB funding

The Climate Adaptive Project, funded by ADB, aims to address the water retention challenges faced by Meghalaya

In a bid to retain rainwater, the Meghalaya government, in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), is set to construct nearly 1000 ‘Small Multipurpose Reservoirs’ across the state.

The Climate Adaptive Project, funded by ADB, aims to address the water retention challenges faced by the state.

Speaking to Northeast Live, Soil & Water Conservation Minister Marcuise N Marak said, “We are coming up with the Climate Adaptive Project for which ADB funding is secured. Tenders for the project will be floated online soon, with the first batch likely already uploaded on the website. These reservoirs will not only serve the purpose of retaining rainwater but also facilitate various economic activities such as planting, plantations, and agriculture.”

The minister emphasized that ADB has sent experts to assess the economic impact on the local population. The tendering process has already commenced, with the first phase focused on East Khasi Hills. The government is optimistic about receiving around Rs 400 crores for the entire project, anticipating the work to commence by January or February.

Meghalaya currently receives approximately 63 billion cubic litres of water annually but only retains 1 billion cubic litres. The initiative is crucial to address the low retention of rainwater in the state.
In the first phase, over 52 small multipurpose reservoirs are being constructed in Shillong, with around 32 already completed.

Highlighting the urgency of the project, the district administration utilized water from Ward’s Lake Shillong—part of the small multipurpose reservoirs initiative—to douse a recent fire incident at Police Bazaar. This incident underscores the importance of having more reservoirs that can serve multiple purposes, including firefighting.

The district administration is actively mapping all water bodies in East Khasi Hills, prioritizing areas for water check dams and water harvesting to ensure effective water management in the region.

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