STAFF REPORTER
Guwahati: The deteriorating water pipeline network of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is increasingly becoming a major factor in the city's crumbling roads.
Several key locations, particularly Panbazar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), MG Road, Tarun Ram Phookan Park, and the Guwahati High Court, are facing frequent leakages of pipes, leading to severe road damage and persistent waterlogging.
Residents have raised concerns about the recurring issue, highlighting how road repairs offer only temporary relief. "Every year, the same problem occurs. The roads are repaired, but within a few months, they are damaged again."
"The authorities blame pipe leaks, but there seems to be no permanent solution," another frustrated citizen told The Sentinel.
GMC officials have acknowledged the problem, revealing that at least 15 major locations across the city suffer from leaking pipelines.
The primary issue, according to a senior official from the waterworks department, is that these pipelines are located beneath the middle of the roads, making repairs both difficult and short-lived. "There are leakages in around 15 major locations. Since the pipelines are positioned under the middle of the road, restoration has been a daunting task. Instead of frequent repairs, we are planning to relocate the pipes towards the sides of the roads. We have already requested the authorities concerned for permission," the official said.
The pipeline relocation project is in the works to address the issue. GMC is planning to relocate the pipelines to the sides of the roads, a move aimed at preventing future leaks from damaging the main carriageways. The project, once approved, will be assigned to a private contractor through a tender process.
The official stated that the work is expected to begin by the end of February and will take around 15 to 20 days to complete.
However, traffic disruptions in the affected areas are anticipated for at least three to four days. The estimated cost of the project stands at Rs 15 lakh covering excavation, new pipeline installation, and road restoration.
While the GMC's plan appears to be a step in the right direction, the effectiveness of the project will depend on its execution and the quality of work delivered. Until then, residents and commuters will have to navigate the deteriorating roads, hoping that this initiative will bring long-term relief rather than being another addition to the city's long list of unfinished infrastructural projects. The question remains-will this be the permanent solution Guwahati has been waiting for or just another short-term fix?
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