THE PERENNIAL WATER SUPPLY PROBLEM IN GUWAHATI CITY

Living in Guwahati city has been no less a nightmare for the last so many years. Inspite of the mighty Brahmaputra running along its entire northern banks so close to the city ( with its hordes and hordes of water ); yet, the city remains parched. While majority of the residents were always dependent on underground borewells for their necessary water needs, only 30% used to recieve the supply given by Guwahati Municipality. However, last couple of years - almost a decade infact, that supply too has being going scarce and scarce. Many residents also, particularly from our locality has illegally gotten the system tweaked too to their favour by bribing the operators of the reservoir nearby and setting their pipes so that they run undisturbed, while many of the rest are left at the mercy of the operator's whims and fancy, who may loosen or tighten the release-key as per his mood. So, on days, he'd open just a fraction - which is essentially lots of air and no water. This had been happening so frequently, that people were praying and almost looking forward to the Govt announced JICA ( which promised potable drinking water 24x7 ), ready to pay whatever the price ~ in a 'bas, paani mil jaye' desperation.


residents left parched...
When Jica started to arrive, people beared the tremendous discomfort and inconviniences of the roads getting frequently dugged everywhere, just with the hope that at least they'll recieve water in the end. They were patient. Like others, even we had our Jica connection installed. But, do we get water? No! First couple of weeks, we did get some amount of water albeit at very slow speed. But of late, that too has disappeared. Like many other Govt schemes, this too seem like a failed project or maybe a cruel scam even. Every other day there's news of some pipe burst and that water supply is disrupted. This is proving to be even worse than the municipal water supply which was erratic no less. Govt announced that from July-25, municipal water supply will be stopped completely and that Jica will replace it. But ground reality is - both has stopped! In our area, it seems. Its quite hell, when you don't have water and all your tenants keep demanding water. As a house owner, you have to provide minimum water to the tenants; but when tap runs dry, its no less a nightmare and a huge burden, not to mention quite stressful too.


frequent pipe bursts around the city...

Because of these issues, two years back...I tried the rain water harvesting trick and linked some of our tenant's tanks to rain water. But it works only on rainy days. Other days we have to rely on water trucks that charge huge especially if one's house is on a hill like ours. Moreover, not all tankers agree to come up the hill as its too risky for the vehicle. And with water scarcity, its not easy to get hold of one - as everyone is calling them too. Also, Govt has been threatening to ban these water trucks ( or has already banned ) as they replete the ground water reservoirs due to constant pumping. So, govt stops water supply, delivers a flop like JICA and now it wants to ban the private water tankers. Add to that is an on going feud between the Municipalty guys and the Jica guys in our area, that has pulled water supply to a complete halt adding to the frustrations of the residents in the locality.


roof-top rain water harvesting...

One cannot live peacefully or pursue a good quality of life if there is water supply issue - that too so often. After all how can a human being survive without water? Water is essential for our daily functioning. Some residents over the years has even sold off their property and moved elsewhere. I personally has been mulling the idea too for quite some time because its just nightmare if water issue is your constant worry especially if you have several tenants to cater to. You become a prisoner in your own house wondering how to give water to them. Thats the only thought that occupies your mind 24x7 - that will you get water the next day! The tenants too ( several ) in the past left because of these water issues; afterall, its not a once in a blue moon thing, but rather a constant problem. Add to that the house being located in a steep hill isn't always a pleasant experience - but, thats another story...


the new normal - type 'guwahati water suppy' and you always get these news of water disruptions every other day...

roz tenants maange paani paani, aur tanki hai khaali khaali ...Oh..well !!!