Fate of South-Guwahati water supply project still uncertain

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The fate of the project for drinking water supply to the South Guwahati area is still uncertain, with the decision to complete the remaining 24 percent of the project pending with the State Cabinet.

The Advocate General of the State Government submitted before the division bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Suman Shaym that the contract for the project was granted to M/s Gammon India Limited, who, despite repeated extensions, could not complete the task, leading to the termination of the project. The State Advocate General also informed the bench that only one bidder filed a bid in the fresh tender for the completion of the remaining 24 percent of the works. And the decision to complete the remaining 24 percent of the project is pending with the Cabinet, the Advocate General said.

“We trust that this decision shall be taken at the earliest so that the project of great importance can be completed at the earliest,” the bench said.

The counsel for the petitioner, Chiryiakhana Patha Jyestho Nagarik Sanstha, pointed out that, as per the affidavit filed on behalf of the respondents in August 2022, the work order issued for supplying water to the South East Guwahati area could not be completed as the contractor failed to perform the task under the work order. However, the respondents have not filed any material to show what steps have been taken.

The Advocate General of the State Government prayed for a short opportunity to make his submissions on this issue raised by the counsel for the petitioner.

The PIL (57/2021) has been listed for August 24, 2023, for the next hearing.

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