Staff reporter
Guwahati: In the heart of Assam’s capital, just a short distance from Dispur Secretariat, residents of Uttar Pub Narakasur Nagar continue to grapple with a severe water crisis that has plagued the area for over years. Despite the city’s designation as a “smart city”, thousands of families in this hilly region remain without a reliable water supply, relying on distant sources for their daily needs. For many, fetching water from a roadside tap near the Ganesh Temple at dawn has become a part of their daily routine. The struggle intensifies during the summer months when groundwater levels drop significantly, making access to water even more difficult.
Residents say the issue is not new. “We have been suffering for more than 30 years. The government has installed bore wells, but they frequently fail, leaving us with no option but to collect water in gallons and store it for the day,” said a long-time resident. Rainwater harvesting offers temporary relief during the monsoons, but for the rest of the year, families are forced to either travel long distances for water or purchase it at high prices. A 1000-litre tanker costs around Rs 600, putting a heavy financial burden on many households. The Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has acknowledged the crisis but blames inadequate funds for the lack of sustainable solutions. In the last three years, only one borewell has been installed in the affected areas. “Without proper allocations, it is difficult to implement long-term solutions,” said a GMC official. Recently, a borewell was installed in Ujjal Nagar in Kahilipara, but locals argue that such sporadic efforts are far from enough. Even students at Guwahati Medical College (GMC) are facing water shortages, with poor infrastructure failing to meet their needs. “The bore well set up by authorities didn’t last, and the piping system is inadequate. Storing rainwater is the only solution for many of us,” said a student. As Guwahati continues to expand, residents fear that the water crisis will worsen without urgent intervention. With elections around the corner, locals are demanding that the government prioritize water infrastructure, questioning why a basic necessity like water remains out of reach for thousands despite repeated promises. “This problem has existed for years, but nothing has changed. We are voters too, yet we are deprived of the most basic facility of clean water,” said a frustrated resident. With no permanent solution in sight, the people of Narakasur Nagar continue their daily struggle, waiting for authorities to take decisive action before the crisis spirals further out of control.
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