Mahanagar Unnayan Samiti, Guwahati Staged Jal Board Gherao Programme 

Water crisis continues

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The recent spate of acute drinking water crisis in prime localities in Guwahati like RG Baruah Road, Ganeshguri, Christian Basti, Rajgarh, Rukminigaon, Sreenagar, Tarun Nagar, Ambikagiri Nagar, Hengrabari, Rupnagar, Japorigog, Bhaskar Nagar, Sarumotoria and Jatiya is alarming. As such, the Guwahati (M) Unnayan Samiti staged a Jal Board gherao programme on Wednesday.

Submitting a memorandum to Jal Board MDA Paul Barua, the Samiti placed certain demands. Asking for immediate drinking water arrangements to the Jal Board, the Samiti also urged that the recent hike in fees is withheld. Also, as Delhi Jal Board provides 20 liters of free water each month, they appealed that the State follows the same rule as well. The Samiti also demanded for revival of pending schemes under PHE.

The drinking water problem for the residents is a chronic one. According to residents of GS Road, they get piped water for half-an hour on alternate days. The speed of flow of water is too slow, and the quantity of water they get is much less than their requirement. According to officials, there are a total of 7,154 water connections under the Zoo Road Water Supply Scheme. With two of the four water pumps lying idle, the 7,154 water connections were fed by only two pumps. However, of late one of the two working pumps too is out of order, leading to the current crisis. This led to a demonstration led by senior citizens of Zoo Road on Tuesday. They demanded that the Chief Minister takes immediate acknowledgement of the issue as it has now reached an unbearable stage. They also urged that the progress of the various schemes under the Jal Board should be looked into.

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