GUWAHATI: Guwahati’s Jyotikuchi area is enduring a severe water crisis that has left residents struggling to meet their daily needs. Despite assurances from the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB) regarding improved water infrastructure, many households continue to face acute shortages, compelling them to rely on unregulated and costly alternatives.
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For months, Jyotikuchi residents have been grappling with water scarcity, making essential tasks like cooking, cleaning, and bathing increasingly challenging. Bhupen Deka, a local resident, expressed his frustration, stating that the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has never supplied water to their area. He noted that while the GJB has been laying pipes for years, actual water supply remains absent. Similarly, Koben Das, a longtime resident, shared that their well and borewell have dried up, and despite promises from the Jal Board, no water has been supplied.
In the absence of municipal water supply, residents have turned to private water carriers, paying exorbitant rates. One resident revealed that purchasing 750 liters of water costs ₹250, a significant burden for many families. This situation has given rise to an informal water supply business, with individuals extracting groundwater from borewells and selling it to those in need. However, this practice is unsustainable and raises environmental concerns, as it depletes the already strained groundwater table.
The Central Ground Water Board has highlighted the unsustainable nature of such practices, emphasizing that residents are required to obtain permission before extracting underground water. However, enforcement is lax, and many continue to extract water without authorisation. This has led to instances where individuals invest substantial amounts in installing borewells, only to find them dry within a short period, rendering their investments futile.
The local administration has acknowledged the issue. Smita Roy, the area’s councillor and deputy mayor, informed that the GJB plans to commence water supply to Jyotikuchi by September or October this year. A source within the GJB confirmed that the Sonaighuli reservoir, which will supply water to the area, is expected to be commissioned soon. However, technical reasons have delayed its completion, leaving residents in a prolonged state of uncertainty.
This delay is part of a broader pattern of unfulfilled promises. The GJB has initiated several water supply projects under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance, aiming to provide water to over 1.25 lakh households in Guwahati by the end of the year. Despite these initiatives, many areas, including Jyotikuchi, continue to face water shortages. The phased rollout of water supply, with plans to cover various areas by September, October, and November, has yet to reach Jyotikuchi, leaving its residents without relief.
The situation in Jyotikuchi underscores a larger issue affecting many parts of Guwahati. Despite the launch of multiple water supply projects over the past decade, a significant portion of the city’s population remains dependent on groundwater. 70% of the city’s residents rely on borewells for their water needs, as existing water supply systems cover only about 30% of the population, said a source from GMC.
The ongoing water crisis in Jyotikuchi has sparked frustration among residents, who feel neglected by the authorities. One elderly resident lamented, “The government has failed us. They promised us water, but what we’re getting is misery. It’s clear that they don’t care about us.” This sentiment reflects a broader disillusionment with the government's ability to address basic civic needs effectively.
As Jyotikuchi continues to endure this water crisis, the residents remain hopeful that the promised water supply will materialize soon. However, the repeated delays and unfulfilled promises have eroded trust in the authorities, leaving many skeptical about the future.
The situation calls for urgent attention from the Guwahati Jal Board and other relevant authorities to expedite the completion of water supply projects and ensure that residents have access to clean and sufficient water. Until then, the people of Jyotikuchi will continue to face the daily struggle of securing this essential resource.