Drinking water projects in city: Gauhati High Court asks Jal Board MD to file affidavit in 2 weeks

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A division bench of the Gauhati High Court has asked the Managing Director of the Jal Board to submit an affidavit within two weeks giving details of the progress of the undergoing projects for the supply of drinking water to various areas of Guwahati and the availability of funds for the projects. The division bench comprises Justice Suman Shyam and Justice Susmita Phukan Khaund.

In a PIL (57/2021), the petitioner, Chiriyakhana Patha Jyestho Nagarik Sanstha, has flagged a burning issue — a shortage of drinking water— facing the residents of Guwahati. The counsel of the petitioners said, "It appears that despite several projects floated by the Government, the citizens are yet to get a proper supply of drinking water."

The counsel submits that "not to speak of furnishing clean water to the citizens, there is even no information available in the public domain as regards the measures initiated by the administration for supplying water to the South-West and South-East areas of the city coming within GMDA's area as well as the progress made in the phases of the project implemented so far for other parts of the city".

The counsel further said, "There is also no clarity as regards the availability of funds and the timeline for completion of these projects".

Refuting such arguments, the government advocate submits that "the work for making potable drinking water available to the Guwahati city dwellers is progressing on a war footing' The department reasonably expects to make potable drinking water available to every household by the end of March 2024."

The advocate prayed for two weeks to file a detailed affidavit incorporating all such facts, including the information which has been called for in an earlier order passed by the High Court on September 22, 2022.

The bench asked the Managing Director of the Jal Board to file an affidavit within two weeks by indicating –

(i) The progress made in supplying drinking water in different parts of Guwahati city and the timeline for completion of the

scheme(s).

(ii) The availability of funds for the execution of the projects.

(iii) Interim arrangements, if any, made by the authorities for supplying drinking water to the citizens.

Also Read:  Assam PHED Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah addresses meet on 'Climate Change Resilient Water Infrastructure'

Also Watch: