After assuring residents of completing the drinking water supply projects in the city by 2024 – started in…--, the Jal Board has now realised that it cannot be done before next year…
The department of Jal Board had given hope to the residents by promising to complete all the water supply projects before December 2024.
However, their hopes lie shattered as the department now plans to extend the deadline into 2025, and thus also extend the struggles of the people due to the construction activity.
Currently, there are four ongoing water supply projects under the department: the South Central Guwahati and North Guwahati Water Supply Project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); the South East Guwahati Water Supply Project under the Assam Urban Infrastructure Investment Program (AUIIP) funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and the South West Guwahati Water Supply Project, which was initially under the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), but now falls under the Jal Board.
ALSO READ: Guwahati: Kalapani's Residents Struggle With Horrible Road Conditions
The South West Guwahati Water Supply Project has faced significant delays due to a shortage of funds.
When GMDA initiated the project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JnNURM) programme, the detailed project report (DPR) estimated the cost at Rs. 398.48 crore in 2007. However, due to funding limitations in the JnNURM programme, the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) could only sanction Rs. 280.94 crore in 2008. Gammon India Limited (GIL) was awarded the project but failed to deliver, completing only a portion of the work. The stagnant project saw progress when the current government showed interest, and after GIL's negligence, the project was handed over to Larsen and Toubro (L&T) in October 2023.
L&T secured a contract from the Guwahati Jal Board to complete and commission the remaining components of the 107 MLD capacity South West Guwahati Water Supply Project. The scope of work includes 84 km of ductile iron (DI) pipeline, 3 km of mild steel (MS) pipeline, and 4 pre-settling tanks, along with associated electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation works for the existing water treatment plant.
Earlier, an official from the Guwahati Jal Board had told GPlus, "Most of the water supply projects are near completion. We are planning to complete them before December 2024. If the work continues smoothly, we will be able to achieve this ahead of time." However, the official now states, "The project under L&T is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025. Moreover, the completion date for the entire project within Guwahati is also expected to be around that time."
"As the projects were under a different firm, there seems to be additional work in locating old pipes and testing them. This has resulted in leakages in a few locations during the testing phase. Even in new locations under L&T, there have been instances of pipe leakages during hydro tests. The purpose of these tests is to identify and rectify any issues for the future," the official further added.
As for the status of leakages, the official assured that the number of cases has been reduced significantly and the department is vigilant about it.
The official mentioned that current projects will continue for the Kamakhya-Jalukbari reservoir, followed by Borjhar and Mirza. Once permissions from departments like Railways and NHAI are obtained, work will begin. The next scheduled locations include Jalukbari and areas near Assam Engineering College and APRO.
"After the work is completed, around 46 DMA will be supply-ready. However, by the end of this, the agreement will need to be renewed as the work will be extended," said the official.
However, according to the official website of Guwahati Jal Board, presently only 18 DMAs have been partially commissioned to cater water to 13000 households in South Central Guwahati.
Upon completion, the water supply projects will fall under the authority of the Guwahati Jal Board, which will handle all operations and maintenance. The implementation process will be managed after the projects are completed and handed over to the Guwahati Jal Board.
The Guwahati Jal Board has already been criticised for its delayed implementation of the water supply scheme. Furthermore, several instances have emerged where the lives of residents were at risk due to poor planning and faulty equipment. To expedite the process and meet the deadline, the authorities should not overlook past issues and the consequences faced by the residents.
Ayushman Deka, a resident of Dispur, commented on the project's completion, "It is about time that the authority completes the project. It's been nearly a decade since it started. However, there is concern about the quality of work provided. The Kharguli and Rajgarh incidents were disasters. The safety of residents should not be jeopardised in order to meet deadlines set by higher authorities. Anyway, it seems like an election gimmick."
Another resident of Jalukbari, Samipta Bharali, shared with GPlus, "Such a long wait for a basic amenity clearly shows the capability of our authority. It would be great if they live up to their words. Anyway, the entire city is a mess due to the Jal Board. They cut, insert a pipe, and cover it with a different layer. It's a clash between departments. PWD will build, Jal Board will dig, Purba Bharati will drill. And the residents will finally get the thrill; disoriented roads, lanes, etc."
Similarly, the Shreenagar area has been entangled in a mess as an ongoing project has deteriorated the condition of the road.
When asked about the restoration process of the roads, the official stated, "We acquire permission from the district administration, Public Works Department, and the traffic authority before starting any project. Once the work is complete, the restored site is inspected by the PWD. So, there should be no issue with that."
"There are certain inconveniences for the public while the work is in process, but it is for the overall development of the city. All we can urge is their patience and cooperation," the official added.
It should be noted that house service connections do not have any deadline as it is a continuous process.
Given the delays already incurred there is scepticism about the new deadlines. Yet, amidst frustration, there is also hope that water will eventually flow through the pipes. But when will that be? That remains the moot question.