Water connections in certain Guwahati areas from March 1

 STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Good news for a section of people in Guwahati! Certain areas in the metropolitan city can apply for water supply connections from March 1 onward.

It will be the second such opportunity after December 22, 2022, when Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the water supply of JICA-sponsored projects in certain areas of Guwahati.

Speaking to the media today, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Ashok Singhal said, "Families residing in areas like Ramsa Hill, Gandhibasti, Nehru Stadium, Islampur, Hazimusafirkhana, Ashram Road, Lachit Nagar, ISKON Temple, Bora Service, and a part of Bhangagarh along Rajgarh Main Road from Sainik Bhawan to Big Bazar can apply for water connections from March 1. Our target is to supply piped water to some 5,024 families in these areas. The families can apply online for connections through the Google Play Store to the GJB (Guwahati Jal Board) app or the website www.gmdwsb.in."

Singhal said, "In the first phase inaugurated on December 2, 2022, our target was to supply piped water to 12,000 families in certain areas under the JICA-sponsored water supply projects. Of course, many families in the target areas have not yet applied for connections. Of the 5,400 families applied, we have given connections to 4,700 families. We will reduce the extraction of groundwater in the areas where we have provided connections for the supply of drinking water. Those who have not yet applied for connections to drinking water should do so immediately."

The Minister said, "The charge for domestic water supply connection per family is Rs 8,500, and the rate of water tariff is Rs 22 per 1,000 liters." The bills will depend on the consumption of water."

Singhal further said, "We cannot supply water 24x7 now. We will make permission for boring mandatory when we will be in a position to supply water 24X7. GMDA will have to amend the relevant Act at that time. According to the Ground Water Board, permission for boring is a must."

When asked about the completion of all the water supply projects under construction in Guwahati, the Minister said that the projects would be ready for operation by 2024. The works of four water supply projects - one JICA-aided, one under JNNURM, and two under AUIIP-are going on in the metropolitan city.

When asked about pollution in Guwahati, Singhal said, "I will talk to the Environment and Forest department on ways to bring down the pollution level. The GMC (Guwahati Municipal Corporation) has no mechanism at its disposal to sprinkle water when the density of dust increases. We have to think of this."

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