Tackling Guwahati's water crisis

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: People of Guwahati continue to grapple with two major problems - artificial flooding and water crisis. A large number of households in the Guwahati metropolitan area do not have tap water connection and have to depend on private water tankers, wells and borewells for their daily requirement of water. Ironically, the households which get water supply from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) often have to face water crisis.

According to GMC sources, water supply by GMC in many areas often gets disrupted because the water reservoirs and underground water pipes are very old. "To replace and repair all the water reservoirs and water pipes, the GMC will need a project of around Rs 9 crore. Many project proposals have been submitted to the government but as yet no such project has been sanctioned," said sources. "Also, the GMC is functioning without a Superintending Engineer since February," they added.

GMC sources further said that once the Zoo Road water supply scheme under the Urban Water Supply and Jal Board is completed, around 6,800 households in areas like Zoo Road, Jatia, Christian Basti and Down Town will get water supply. Another water supply project under JICA, which was sanctioned in 2012, is expected to be completed within the next one-and-half years. This Rs 1,427-crore project will supply water to many areas in central Guwahati like Bharalumukh, Machkhowa, Kharguli, Bamunimaidam etc. "Once completed, this project will provide a big relief to people of many areas of the city who are facing water crisis," said GMC sources.

People without tap water facility largely depend on private water tankers. These water tankers usually charge more if they have to go to hilly areas. For Guwahati to become a smart city in the true sense, the authorities concerned must take steps to mitigate the water crisis in the city.

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