Assam: North Guwahati Water Supply Project Nears Completion

Staff reporter

Guwahati: The much-anticipated North Guwahati Water Supply Project is nearing completion, with nearly 90% of the work already finished, according to officials from the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB). Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the project is expected to become fully operational by August, aiming to supply 37 million litres of potable water daily to over 15,000 households across five District Metering Areas (DMAs).

Officials highlighted that the pace of work picked up significantly post-2022, particularly with the complex laying of pipelines along steep and challenging slopes. However, concerns are mounting over the project’s long-term safety and durability, especially with the onset of the monsoon. Recent images shared by the GJB show that many of these slopes—rising up to 21 feet—are highly erosion-prone. Experts have warned that without adequate structural safeguards, heavy rainfall could trigger landslides, posing a risk to both pipelines and the primary reservoir.

To mitigate these risks, the GJB has sought technical guidance from IIT-Guwahati. Acting on the institute’s recommendations, the board has constructed gabion retaining walls—stone-filled wire mesh cages designed to hold back soil and reinforce the slopes. “These walls are critical to protecting the integrity of the pipeline and ensuring the reservoir remains stable during heavy rainfall,” a senior GJB engineer said.

Despite the visible progress, experts and local residents emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring and maintenance, especially during the monsoon season, to prevent service disruptions and safeguard the infrastructure.

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