Letters to THE EDITOR: Drainage system and normal life in Guwahati

Drainage system and normal life in Guwahati

Drainage is generally considered one of the most important civic amenities for city life and for every household. Without drainage, there would not be proper maintenance and planning for a peaceful life. The concept of drainage in Guwahati can be taken from ancient civilizations such as the Harappa civilization. We can see that during ancient times, the drains were very deep and wide. But if we consider the drainage system in Assam, especially in Guwahati, it is very unplanned. The drains in the Ulubari area, Zoo Road, and Gandhibasti area are in such deplorable condition that even an individual’s waste water cannot pass through them. This may lead to very serious health issues, especially waterborne diseases, which may sometimes kill an individual. The municipal authority in Guwahati has turned a deaf ear to this problem and does not aim at taking quick action. Swift measures must be taken to solve this problem urgently. Moreover, the unplanned construction and development must be decreased by the municipality and the other departments concerned. The normal lives of residents are also highly affected. The students are also not able to avail proper communication and transportation facilities from one place to another during floods. So this needs to be solved as early as possible for the smooth conduct of people’s lives in Guwahati.

Manish Kashyap

Guwahati

Food waste

Every living being on earth gets the energy needed to survive from food. Without food, we cannot survive for a long time, but among all the living beings, man is the only one who considers food unimportant and wastes it as soon as his needs are fulfilled. Man has a variety of food items to choose from as per his taste, which he consumes as per his convenience. India is a country in the world where food wastage and hunger exist in huge quantities. If food wastage is made a crime and a large fine is charged from the person responsible, then perhaps within a month, food waste will be completely controlled in the country and billions of rupees can be saved in the country, which may lead to faster development. The Indian economy will become stronger, hunger will be less, and prosperity will increase. All sections of society will get sufficient foodgrains, diseases and inflation will be reduced. The country will be economically, socially, and environmentally balanced.

A. Nawas,

Kollam, Kerala

Water woes in Guwahati

Thousands have lived without love, but no one can survive without water. When the wells dry up, we know the value of water. Water is the most essential component of human life. We may be able to survive without any food for a whole week, but without water, we won’t survive for three days. Guwahati’s residents have been struggling with the drinking water crisis for decades. A large number of households in the Guwahati metropolitan area do not have tap water connections and have to depend on private water tankers, wells, and borewells for their daily water requirements. Relying on private water tankers comes with additional cost and inconvenience. It is not affordable for everyone. Moreover, the price of tanker water has been increasing day by day. It has put more pressure on the budget of the common man. This is the result of the non-fulfilment of the promise of Guwahati Municipal Corporation to supply potable water in Guwahati from existing reservoirs. The water supply work in the city is also going on at a snail’s pace, not to mention the occasional water pipe bursts that are causing havoc among the citizens. The government should increase the speed of its water works so that the residents of Guwahati get ample supply of the most basic need of life—water.

Nausheen Rahman

Hatigaon, Guwahati