Water crisis amidst leakage
Residents of Sankardev Path in Ganeshguri are struggling with a severe water crisis, which has disrupted daily life and has left them frustrated and in agony.
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The issue arose after workers from the Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewage Board (GMDWSB) damaged an existing water pipeline while laying a new one, leading to multiple leaks and a complete disruption of the water supply.
Talking to GPlus, Surojit Bordoloi, a resident of the area, detailed the situation: "On June 17, 2024, the Jal Board team laid a new pipeline next to the existing one. During the process, they damaged the old pipeline, resulting in four major leaks. Since then, water has been continuously flowing onto the road, causing a mess and leaving us without a reliable water supply. We lodged a complaint at the GMDWSB office in Forest Gate, Hengrabari, the very next day, but despite multiple visits, phone calls, and even emails to their Managing Director and minister Ashok Singhal, no action has been taken. It has been over a month, and we are still without water, relying entirely on private water suppliers."
Another resident of the area seeking anonymity talking to GPlus said, "It's been over a month without water, and the only response we've gotten is that the problem is under review. We have families, children, and elderly people who depend on this basic necessity. How long are we supposed to wait? The authorities need to act now. Whenever we have complained to the Jal Board they said they have less work force."
Talking to GPlus, a daily commuter in the road said, "The road is in a terrible state because of the water leaking everywhere. It's dangerous for pedestrians, especially at night. The authorities are just ignoring our pleas. This needs to be fixed immediately."
A local grocery shop owner in the area said, "This water problem has been a nightmare for us. The constant leakage has made the road muddy and slippery, driving away customers who don’t want to walk through the mess. On top of that, I have to buy water daily for my shop. It's an added expense, and we’re losing business because of this. The authorities must do something soon"
A tea vendor in the area said, "We rely on water to run our business, and now we're forced to buy it at a higher cost. The leak outside has turned the area into a mess, and fewer people are stopping by. I’ve even had to close early some days because there’s just no one around. We can’t go on like this; we need this fixed," expressed the tea vendor, who depends on the daily foot traffic for his livelihood.
The situation has caused significant inconvenience for residents, who are frustrated with the lack of responsiveness from the authorities. The road, which connects Dr. R.P. Road to G.S. Road near UCO Bank in Ganeshguri, has also suffered from waterlogging due to the constant leakage, further complicating the daily commute and living conditions for the local population.
In response to the complaints, a senior official from the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) commented, "All water projects are now under the Jal Board, and they are responsible for addressing such issues." This statement, however, did little to assuage the concerns of the affected residents.
Additionally, talking to GPlus, a senior official from the Jal Jeevan Department acknowledged the problem but explained that the resolution process is complex and ongoing. "All the water projects are currently under survey, and there is also PWD drainage work happening simultaneously. We are aware of the issues, and once all the surveys are complete, we will work towards resolving them."