GUWAHATI: Chaos engulfed the Kharghuli area in Guwahati after a pipeline burst on January 2 disrupted lives, destroyed homes, and sparked fears of further calamities such as landslides. The incident, which has left around six families homeless and caused extensive damage to property, is being attributed to the negligence of the Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewerage Board (Guwahati Jal Board, GJB).
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Visuals from the site reveal devastation akin to a "war-like situation," as described by a resident. Water gushed down residential areas, uprooting trees and creating panic among locals who fled their homes in fear. The burst has also raised environmental concerns, with uprooted vegetation increasing the unstable soil conditions, leading residents to worry about potential landslides.
This is not the first time Kharghuli has suffered such a mishap. In May 2023, a similar incident claimed the life of Sumitra Rabha, destroyed 40 houses, and caused immense hardship. The recurring nature of these disasters underscores a worrying trend of negligence by the GJB and poor implementation of safety measures.
Despite repeated warnings from experts and past tragedies, GJB officials have failed to ensure the integrity of the pipelines. When confronted by angry residents, the Project Director, Pallav Gopal Jha and senior officials of GJB offered vague explanations, blaming the old and faulty pipelines. The public, however, remains unconvinced and infuriated by the department’s apparent inability to learn from past mistakes.
Public Health Engineering, Housing, and Urban Affairs Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah attempted to explain the situation, attributing the pipeline burst to a power interruption during the commissioning of a surge protection tank at the Kharghuli Water Treatment Plant. He stated, "Pressure was generated, leading to the burst in the water pipeline."
Baruah assured that the government would assist affected families and investigate any lapses in the installation process. However, his statements did little to pacify the residents, who remain sceptical about the authorities’ commitment to preventing such incidents in the future.
Baruah also highlighted recommendations made by IIT Guwahati experts after the 2023 incident. "We had suggestions for a surge protection tank, but the commissioning process was disrupted due to power interruption," he said, adding that the government would examine whether low-quality materials were used or procedural lapses occurred.
Opposition leader Debabrata Saikia has strongly criticised the handling of the JICA-assisted Guwahati Water Supply Project, calling for immediate intervention by the Assam Human Rights Commission. In a letter dated January 2, 2025, Saikia highlighted the tragic outcomes of mismanagement, citing the 2023 disaster and the long history of negligence since the project’s inception in 2009.
Saikia referred to allegations of corruption against the US-based firm Louis Berger, which was awarded the project’s management contract in 2010. The firm was later implicated in a bribery scandal, raising questions about the integrity of the entire project. Despite a high-level inquiry ordered in 2015, progress has been negligible, with repeated delays and continued public inconvenience.
"The water supply project has missed numerous deadlines, and the constant digging and re-digging of roads have caused immense inconvenience to the residents," Saikia noted.
Residents expressed frustration and anger over the repeated failures of the authorities. Altercations broke out between locals and GJB officials, with the latter accused of attempting to dodge accountability.
One resident said, "This is not just about damaged property. It’s about the trauma of losing our homes and living in constant fear. How many more incidents before the government takes real action?"
Another local added, "They keep citing old pipelines as the problem. If they knew this, why didn’t they replace them after the 2023 incident? It’s pure negligence."
Saikia has called for increased compensation for the victims, urging the government to provide ₹10 lakh to the family of Sumitra Rabha and ₹2 lakh to injured individuals. He also demanded a comprehensive reconstruction and rehabilitation plan for affected families.
In his letter, Saikia criticised the Assam government for its inadequate response, stating, "The government’s inaction and mismanagement have turned what should have been a development project into a disaster for Guwahati residents."
Adding insult to injury, the GJB issued a notification on January 2 announcing a water supply shutdown from January 3 to January 5 for areas including Chandmari, Rajgarh, and Tarun Nagar to install the surge protection system. The timing of this notification, issued after the disaster, has only heightened public frustration.
The Kharghuli pipeline burst is yet another reminder of the consequences of mismanagement and corruption in public infrastructure projects. While the government promises action and compensation, the recurring nature of these incidents raises doubts about the effectiveness of these measures.
As residents await tangible solutions, the spotlight remains firmly on the authorities whose negligence has turned development into disaster.
