Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water & Sewerage Board (GMDW&SB) has achieved a significant milestone in the city's water infrastructure development with the partial commissioning of the South West Guwahati water supply project. While potable water remains inaccessible in several localities, this development marks progress in addressing the city's long-standing water challenges.
Initial Phase Benefits Key Areas
In an official statement, GMDW&SB confirmed that the Jalukbari reservoir and six distribution metered areas (DMAs) have been successfully completed as part of this partial commissioning initiative. This crucial phase will directly benefit approximately 1,500 households located within Guwahati Municipal Corporation's Ward Number 2.
Coverage Areas and Implementation
The project currently covers several important areas including Jalukbari, the vicinity surrounding Assam Engineering College, Sundarbari, and Satmile regions. Residents in these locations will now have access to treated, piped drinking water through the newly established infrastructure.
House Service Connection (HSC) works in these beneficiary areas are expected to commence shortly, which will enable residents to receive water directly at their homes rather than relying on communal water points or alternative sources.
Expansion Plans and Future Benefits
GMDW&SB has revealed that construction activities are actively underway in 19 additional DMAs, with completion anticipated by the end of the current year. This expansion phase promises to benefit nearly 17,000 more households across various neighborhoods.
Targeted Localities for Expansion
- Boragaon
- Fatashil Ambari
- Dhirenpara
- Garchuk
- Pamohi
- Lankeshwar
The primary objective of this comprehensive water supply initiative is to reduce dependence on unsafe and irregular water sources that many residents have been forced to utilize for years. This represents a substantial improvement in urban water infrastructure for Guwahati and demonstrates GMDW&SB's commitment to enhancing public health, convenience, and overall quality of life for the city's inhabitants.
Project Background and Historical Context
The water supply project has a considerable history dating back to 2020 when then Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the first phase under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Renewable Mission (JNNURM). This initial implementation was carried out by the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA).
First Phase Coverage
The inaugural phase aimed to serve 50,000 households across four DMAs under the Kamakhya distribution zone. The coverage extended from Bhutnath to Maligaon Chariali along the foothills of Kamakhya hill, encompassing numerous residential areas including:
- Kalipur
- Kamakhya Colony
- Pandu
- Boripara
- Pandav Nagar
- Kamakhya Nagar
- Anand Nagar
- Sankar Nagar
- Joymoti Nagar
- Adabari
Financial and Implementation Challenges
The project's journey has been marked by financial constraints and implementation hurdles. The first detailed project report (DPR), prepared with an estimated cost of Rs 398.48 crore, was submitted to the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) in 2007.
Due to funding limitations under the JNNURM framework, the ministry sanctioned a reduced amount of Rs 280.94 crore in 2008. Following this allocation, the project was awarded to Gammon India Limited (GIL), which unfortunately failed to complete the assigned work, leading to delays in the project's overall timeline.
The partial commissioning of the South West Guwahati Water Supply Project represents a significant step forward in addressing the city's water infrastructure needs, though challenges remain in ensuring comprehensive coverage across all localities.
