The Meghalaya government is considering the creation of a single authority to manage urban water supply systems, aiming to improve coordination, reduce delays and provide faster solutions to public complaints. The proposed reform is intended to eliminate overlapping responsibilities among multiple agencies involved in water distribution.
Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Marcuise N Marak said the current system in urban areas such as Shillong and Tura often leads to delays in resolving issues because different departments share responsibility for various parts of the supply network.
Speaking during the inauguration of the State-Level Jal Utsav 2026 under the theme “Celebrating Water, Securing Sources,” Marak said the government is exploring a unified approach based on the principle of “one mechanism, one platform and one authority.” The initiative aims to strengthen water conservation, improve management and ensure greater community participation in drinking water systems.
At present, the PHE Department supplies bulk water to the Shillong Municipal Board (SMB) and Shillong Cantonment Board (SCB), which handle distribution to consumers. According to the minister, complaints related to leakages and other issues often face delays as departments first determine their respective responsibilities.
A similar restructuring is also being considered for Tura, where water supply responsibilities are currently shared between the PHE Department and the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Marak said consultations with all stakeholders will be conducted before any final decision is taken. He added that the proposed system is aimed at improving accountability, coordination and overall service delivery for residents.