STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) has sought a detailed status report on the progress of execution of the Guwahati South-Central Water Supply Project. The project is being funded by the JICA.
The development has come more than a month after the External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and Japan Ambassador to India Satoshi Suzuki visited the Guwahati South-Central Water Supply Project site at Kharghuli. Both Dr Jaishankar and Suzuki had asked the implementing authorities of the Guwahati South-Central Water Supply Project to expedite execution and complete the scheme as early as possible.
The JICA-funded project with a proposed capacity of 191 MLD ((millions of litres per day) was started in 2011. The deadline for commissioning the project was 2017.
"Since there has been an inordinate delay in execution of the 24x7 water supply scheme the project cost will increase. According to an estimate the project cost will increase from Rs 1,183 crore to Rs 1,443 crore. So, the JICA wants a detailed report from the Assam Government on the status of Guwahati South-Central Water Supply Project before sanctioning more funds for the same," a source associated with the project execution said.
The slower than snail pace of progress of the ambitious 24x7 drinking water supply projects in Guwahati has forced the residents to take to the street on a number of occasions. More often than not, the city residents are compelled to purchase water (for drinking as well for other needs) from private suppliers of water. However, the authorities concerned are least bothered and looking the other way about the fate of the schemes.