GUWAHATI: The increasing problem of leaking water tankers supplying water across Guwahati has become a major concern for residents. This issue has been evident for a long while with little means to tackle it.
Several water tankers, meant to provide clean water to households and commercial establishments, are frequently spotted leaking large amounts of water during transit, leading to water wastage, slippery roads, and traffic hazards. Roads and major streets are often left wet and strewn with water puddles causing problems for commuters.
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Many have complained that poorly maintained tankers with damaged or loosely sealed valves are causing continuous water spillage along city roads. The issue is particularly severe in areas with high demand for tanker-supplied water, including major parts of GS Road, Ganeshguri, Dispur, Beltola, Six Mile, Maligaon, and Chandmari.
Talking to GPlus, Manik Kumar, a resident of Ulubari said, “These tankers waste a lot of water en route to their destination. I do not know if even half of the total water is delivered to the client.”
The leakage and wastage of water from the tankers may be attributed to the improper maintenance of the vehicles with many tanks not being properly sealed which allows the leakage of water throughout.
At a time when several areas in Guwahati face irregular water supply, the loss of hundreds of litres due to leaking tankers has angered residents. “We already struggle with water shortages, and it is frustrating to see so much water being wasted on the roads,” said Rohit Das, a resident of Bhangagarh while talking to GPlus.
Apart from wastage, the leaking water also creates slippery patches on roads, especially on slopes and turns, posing accident risks for two-wheeler riders and pedestrians.
GPlus spoke to Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) Mayor Mrigen Sarania who stated that the ambit of these water tankers and their maintenance does not fall under GMC.
A contractor of a water supply company in Guwahati told GPlus, “We try our best to maintain the vehicles. But, the demand for water is huge and the funds are short, so we are unable to properly maintain all the vehicles.”
“But we can assure you that major amount of water remains in the tankers while delivering, as the leakage is minimum,” he added.
The need of the hour is that officials inspect water tankers regularly, impose penalties on violators, and implement better sealing mechanisms to prevent further wastage. If left unchecked, this issue could worsen water scarcity in the city while continuing to create safety hazards for commuters.
