Assam: Saga of Missed Deadlines by Guwahati Jal Board

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: The promise of a steady and reliable water supply for Guwahati residents has turned into a long-running saga of missed deadlines and mounting frustrations. Meanwhile, in spite of the Guwahati Jal Board’s (GJB) assurance to complete all water supply projects by December 2024, the deadline has now been extended to 2025, further dashing hopes of the city’s residents.

Guwahati’s four major water supply projects, backed by different agencies, have been plagued by delays and inefficiencies: South Central Guwahati and North Guwahati Water Supply Project: Funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), South East Guwahati Water Supply Project: Supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) under the Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Programme (AUIIP), South West Guwahati Water Supply Project: Initially under the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) and now managed by the GJB, the South West Guwahati project.

Among these, the South West Guwahati Water Supply Project, initiated in 2007 under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM), has been a glaring failure. Originally budgeted at Rs 398.48 crore, it has faced significant cost overruns and contractor inefficiencies. The initial contractor, Gammon India Limited, was removed for poor performance, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) took over in 2023. Despite some progress, the project’s revised completion date is now late 2025.

Issues such as pipeline leakages during testing and inadequate planning have further delayed the project. Recent incidents, including mishaps in Kharguli and Rajgarh, have raised safety concerns. Ayushman Deka, a resident of Dispur, voiced the growing public discontent: “It’s been over a decade, and we’re still dealing with delays and accidents. This feels more like an election gimmick than a genuine effort.”

Frequent clashes between the GJB, Public Works Department (PWD), and Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited (PBGPL) have worsened the city’s woes. Newly paved roads are often dug up for pipeline installations, leaving behind unsafe and uneven streets. While officials claim to follow due processes, residents remain sceptical.

Even as new projects languish, Guwahati’s existing water infrastructure struggles to meet demand. The Panbazar Water Treatment Plant operates at half its designed capacity, and the Satpukhuri plant serves only 15.75 MLD against its 22.5 MLD capacity. These shortfalls leave many areas underserved, underscoring the urgent need for functional upgrades.

The GJB’s assurances of improved safety measures and expedited work have done little to ease public skepticism. The partial commissioning of 18 District Metering Areas (DMAs) for 13,000 households offers some progress, but residents question whether the city will ever see the promised 24x7 water supply.

Talking to The Sentinel, Guwahati Residents expressed, “Water will flow through the pipes eventually, but the question remains: when?” remarked a weary resident, encapsulating the collective frustration of Guwahati’s citizens. With the revised 2025 deadline looming, the city’s residents can only hope that this time, the promises will not turn into yet another tale of disappointment.

Also Read: Guwahati Jal Board: Water supply disruption due to pipeline repairs on leakage

Also Watch: