Guwahati: The inconsistent water supply under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project in Guwahati has sparked frustration among residents. Initially envisioned as a modern solution to address the city's long-standing water issues, the project has faced numerous challenges, including irregular supply, quality concerns, poor communication, and a significant impact on daily life.
"No water today" and "Very dirty water" are some of the frequent complaints from Guwahati residents. In response, JICA officials often reply with, "We have already notified," offering little reassurance.
Many residents report frequent supply interruptions, forcing them to rely on expensive and unreliable water tankers. Additionally, the water quality is often murky and unpleasant, raising concerns about health risks. The authorities managing the JICA project have faced criticism for their lack of transparency, offering minimal information on the causes of supply issues, outage durations, or the steps being taken to resolve them.
These water supply disruptions have profoundly impacted daily life in Guwahati, affecting households, businesses, schools, and other institutions, leading to widespread citywide disruption. Frustrated residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns, while local community groups are organizing to demand accountability from project authorities. Key public demands include regular updates, quality assurance, better management of water bills, fixing persistent pipe leakages, and long-term solutions to ensure a sustainable water distribution system.
The irregular JICA water supply has become a major point of contention in Guwahati, highlighting the gap between the project's promises and its current performance. Urgent action is needed from the authorities to restore public trust and ensure a reliable water supply for all residents. Solving these issues will not only improve the quality of life for Guwahatians but also serve as a benchmark for future infrastructure projects in the region.
Business North East spoke to Pallav Gopal Jha, Project Director of JICA who said that the issue will be resolved by December-January when asked about when the water interrupted supply problem will be resolved “ once network stabilise after total completion of work”.
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