SHILLONG: In a ray of hope for the water-starved residents of Jowai and adjoining villages, the much-delayed river pumping water supply scheme for the area is expected to be commissioned by March 2013.

An official of the PHE department recently informed that the project is in its final stages and 90 per cent of the work has already been completed. “The department is currently carrying out the distribution of pipelines,” the official said.