The promised relief from the Guwahati Jal Board projects remains elusive, forcing citizens to rely on unsustainable and costly alternatives
ALSO READ: Guwahati's Disabled Children Face Neglect From State Authorities
Guwahati is facing an acute water crisis that has put countless lives in jeopardy. Despite the promises of improved water infrastructure through the ongoing projects under the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB), many residents continue to struggle with a lack of access to clean and sufficient water. The scarcity has forced citizens to turn to unregulated sources, raising concerns about the environmental impact and questioning the efficacy of the local government’s initiatives.
For months, several neighbourhoods in Guwahati have been grappling with severe water shortages. This crisis has made even the most basic of daily tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, and bathing, a challenge for many. Despite the government’s assurances, the long-awaited projects under the Guwahati Jal Board have not yet materialised to provide any significant relief to the public.
In areas like Chachal, Borbari, Last Gate, Survey and Panjabari, residents have witnessed a surge in water scarcity. Borewells, once a reliable source, have been depleting rapidly. Those without access to borewells are left to depend on water carriers, a sector which has become an informal, yet indispensable, part of the city’s water supply chain.
“I’ve been living in Guwahati for over 20 years, and I’ve never seen the situation this bad. We used to get water from our borewell, but now even that’s drying up. The Jal Board promised us regular water supply, but till now, we’ve received nothing,” says a resident of Chachal.
A resident from Survey echoes the sentiment, stating, “Every day is a struggle. We’ve resorted to buying water from private carriers, but it’s costing us a fortune. How can the government expect us to live like this?”
A local shopkeeper from Dispur, who has been forced to rely on water carriers for his business, shared, “We’re paying through our noses for water. The Jal Board keeps telling us that things will get better, but nothing has changed. The situation is only getting worse.”
Finally, an elderly resident summed up the general discontent, saying, “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.”
The water supply business in Guwahati, driven by the scarcity and regulated by market forces, has become a thriving source of income for those with access to borewells. With no other options available, residents are forced to buy water at exorbitant prices, feeding into a cycle that seems to have no end.
While the administration had once imposed regulations on these water carriers, enforcement has been lax. The booming demand for water has led to an increase in the illegal extraction of groundwater, further depleting the city’s already strained water table. This situation has severe environmental consequences, with water levels receding at an alarming rate.
An environmental activist in Guwahati, who wished to remain anonymous, highlighted the issue: “The rampant extraction of groundwater is unsustainable. We’re digging our own graves by allowing this to continue unchecked. The authorities need to step in before it’s too late.”
The Guwahati Jal Board, backed by a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan, has been working on multiple projects aimed at overhauling the city’s water supply system. These projects, initiated several years ago, were intended to ensure a consistent and reliable supply of potable water to the city’s residents. However, despite several deadlines and assurances, the projects remain incomplete.
Past media reports have detailed the progress—or lack thereof—of these initiatives. In 2021, media reported that the JICA-funded project was set to be completed by the end of the year. Yet, even after more than half of 2024 has gone by, the promises have not been fulfilled. The delay has been attributed to a variety of factors, including bureaucratic red tape, logistical challenges, and alleged mismanagement.
In 2022, another report claimed that the project was nearing completion and that residents would soon benefit from the improved water supply. Yet, as the situation on the ground shows, these claims have not translated into reality. The citizens of Guwahati are still waiting for the relief that was promised to them years ago.
The ongoing water crisis in Guwahati is not just a humanitarian issue, but also an environmental one. The city’s water table is declining rapidly due to the over-extraction of groundwater, and experts warn that the consequences could be dire if the trend continues.
