Gauhati High Court: Spell out timeline for water supply projects

GUWAHATI: A division bench of the Gauhati High Court comprising Chief Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Suman Shyam has asked the GMDA (Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority) and the Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewerage Board, also called the Jal Board, to spell out a tentative timeframe for the completion of the water supply projects currently under construction in Guwahati.

The High Court heard both parties on the PIL (57/2021) filed by Chiriyakhana Patha Jyestho Nagarik Sanstha on the issue relating to the supply of drinking water in Guwahati in the GMDA area.

In terms of the order of May 25, 2023, passed by this court, GMDA Chief Executive Officer J.H. Hilali and Jal Board Managing Director Pallav G. Jha were personally present before the court.

This Court expressed its dissatisfaction with the affidavits filed on behalf of the GMDA and the Jal Board in terms of this court’s order passed on March 30, 2023, by means of which a direction had been issued to file a detailed affidavit.

After hearing the submissions advanced by State Advocate General D. Saikia as well as that of learned counsel for the petitioner and after taking note of the request made by the Advocate General, the Court granted the GMDA and Jal Board four weeks’ time to place on record their respective affidavits, laying down all necessary facts in detail so as to meet the allegations made in the PIL. “The affidavits must also indicate the tentative timeline for completing the water supply projects in the city of Guwahati,” the bench said.

“The personal appearance of the Chief Executive Officer, GMDA, and Managing Director, Jal Board, is dispensed herewith,” the Court said.

The Court listed the PIL for its next hearing on July 27, 2023.

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