Residents of Chandmari, Guwahati, faced a dual crisis today as a water leakage in the Milanpur area led to road flooding, even as the locality continues to grapple with a four-day drinking water shortage.
The incident occurred when a washout valve of a supply pipe developed a fault during routine maintenance, causing thousands of liters of water to gush out onto the streets. The leakage not only inundated roads but also caused significant traffic disruptions in the area.
The irony of the situation was not lost on locals, who expressed frustration over the mismanagement of the water supply system. "We don’t have water in our homes, but the streets are overflowing with it. This is unacceptable," said a resident.
Responding to the reports, the Guwahati Jal Board clarified the situation via X (formerly Twitter), stating that the issue was not a pipeline burst, as widely reported, but a leakage from the washout valve used to flush dirty water out of the pipes. The valve has since been closed by their team.
The Jal Board further apologized for the inconvenience caused and assured residents of swift measures to prevent such occurrences in the future.
We seek to inform respected citizens that GJB is conducting a Hydrotest test from 18.11.2024 to 19.11.2024 on a 100mm diameter DI pipe at Ghoramara Area in North Guwahati . During the testing period, leakages of water may occur at few locations , which shall be rectified by 1/2
— Guwahati Jal Board (@gmdwsb) November 18, 2024
This incident follows a recent announcement by the Jal Board about hydrotesting activities in the Ghoramara area, during which they had warned of possible water leakages. However, with ongoing drinking water shortages and increasing frustrations among residents, the board faces mounting pressure to address both infrastructure issues and public grievances.
Local authorities have been urged to expedite repairs and improve communication to restore public confidence in the city’s water supply system.
