CPI (M) demands probe into irregularities in water supply projects

GUWAHATI: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) has demanded a high-level probe into alleged irregularities in the water supply projects of Guwahati.

Addressing a press meet in the city on Tuesday, CPI (M) Assam state secretary Suprakash Talukdar said, “The water pipeline burst of the South-Central Water Supply Project under the Guwahati Jal Board at Joypur in the Kharghuli area recently is the result of the hurry on the part of the authorities concerned to supply water to a few households in the city without looking into the safety issue.”

He further said, “For the last 14 years, works on various water supply projects in the city have not been completed. In the wake of criticism from various quarters for the delay in completion of the water supply projects, the authorities concerned are now in a haste to supply water in some areas. In this hurry, they are ignoring safety issues. This led to the accident in Kharguli and unless safety measures are taken, more such accidents will take place.”

He further said that the South-West Water Supply Project was started in March, 2009; the South-Central Water Supply Project in July, 2014 and the South-East Water Supply Project in 2013. The authorities concerned have failed to complete these projects within the stipulated time, he said. “With the exception of the water supply project in North Guwahati, works on other water supply projects have stopped. To hide their failure in supplying water to all households, the authorities concerned are hastily trying to supply water in some areas,” said Talukdar.

He further said, “Only 15% households are receiving water under the South-Central Water Supply Project. For the maintenance of this water supply project and to provide continuous and uninterrupted, hygienic, piped drinking water, the Guwahati Jal Board was formed. But a part of the project is being looked after by the Guwahati Jal Board and a part by the project management consultant agency. Accidents occur because of lapses and irregularities in the water supply projects. We demand a high-level probe into these irregularities. We also demand that cases registered by the CBI and Bhangagarh PS on water supply projects should be investigated. Guwahati is staring at the face of a water crisis. The government must take steps to provide safe and potable drinking water to all households while also ensuring safety.”

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