1500 households to benefit as water supply project partially rolled out in Guwahati

Guwahati: Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water & Sewerage Board (GMDW&SB) has partially commissioned the South West Guwahati water supply project in the city’s south-west areas, even as potable supply water remains out of reach in several localities.In an official statement, GMDW&SB said the Jalukbari reservoir and six distribution metered areas (DMAs) have been completed as part of the partial commissioning.“This phase will directly benefit approximately 1,500 households in Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s Ward Number 2, covering areas such as Jalukbari, the vicinity around the Assam Engineering College, Sundarbari, and Satmile areas, by providing access to treated, piped drinking water.

House Service Connection (HSC) works in these areas are expected to begin shortly, enabling residents to receive water directly at their homes,” the statement said.GMDW&SB said construction is underway in 19 other DMAs, expected to benefit nearly 17,000 more households by the end of the year. The areas include Boragaon, Fatashil Ambari, Dhirenpara, Garchuk, Pamohi and Lankeshwar, aimed at reducing dependence on unsafe and irregular water sources.

“The partial commissioning of the South Guwahati West Water Supply Project marks a significant improvement in the city’s urban water infrastructure and reflects GMDW&SB’s commitment to enhancing public health, convenience, and quality of life for the people of Guwahati,” the statement said.In 2020, then Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first phase of the water supply project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewable Mission (JNNURM), implemented by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).

The phase aimed to serve 50,000 households in four DMAs under the Kamakhya distribution zone, covering areas from Bhutnath to Maligaon Chariali along the foothills of Kamakhya hill, including Kalipur, Kamakhya Colony, Pandu, Boripara, Pandav Nagar, Kamakhya Nagar, Anand Nagar, Sankar Nagar, Joymoti Nagar and Adabari.The first detailed project report (DPR), estimated at Rs 398.48 crore, was submitted to the ministry of urban development (MoUD) in 2007. Due to funding constraints under JNNURM, the ministry sanctioned Rs 280.94 crore in 2008, after which the project was awarded to Gammon India Limited (GIL). The company failed to complete the project.Content state:Writing