Residents of Assam’s Nazira forced to rely on polluted water as civic body ignores vital repairs

A CORRESPONDENT

NAZIRA: In a shocking display of administrative failure, residents of Nazira town in Assam’s Sivasagar district are reeling under a severe drinking water crisis, allegedly caused by prolonged negligence of the Nazira Municipal Board and lack of coordination with the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED).

At a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi is promoting digital transformation across India and Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma is advocating a vision of a developed and progressive state, the century-old oil town of Nazira is struggling for something as basic as safe drinking water.

For nearly 20 days, residents have been deprived of clean water after a key NSP motor under the town’s water supply scheme malfunctioned due to flood damage. Despite written communication from the PHED to the municipal authorities, the motor—reportedly requiring only a modest repair cost—remains unattended.

As a result, citizens are now forced to depend on polluted roadside water supplies, leading to widespread distress. Locals allege that even this limited supply is irregular, often available only for about half an hour in the morning, triggering chaos among residents who have no alternative water sources.

The situation has drawn sharp criticism, with many accusing the municipal body of gross irresponsibility. Ironically, while residents struggle for a drop of potable water, the municipality has reportedly sanctioned large sums for decorative flood tower lights in the name of urban beautification.

The crisis has been further exacerbated by a blame game between the PHED and the municipal board. While the municipality shifts responsibility to PHED, the department maintains that the water supply scheme has been under municipal control since 2008, making the civic body solely accountable for its maintenance and operation.

With no reliable water source, residents are facing daily hardships in cooking, bathing, and other essential activities. Despite repeated appeals over the years for a proper drinking water system, authorities and elected representatives—accused of enjoying access to purified and mineral water—have failed to address the issue.

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