Guwahati: The long-delayed south-east Guwahati water supply project (SEGWSP) will provide piped drinking water to 66,000 households, covering around 3.5 lakh people, by 2029, public health engineering minister Krishnendu Paul said on Tuesday while responding to a query from Dispur MLA Pradyut Bordoloi during the Question Hour in the assembly.The Citizens United Forum for Water Supply, an umbrella body of 65 civil society organisations, has demanded that the project be expedited, alleging that prolonged delays have deprived thousands of residents of reliable piped drinking water.“There should be a time bound execution of the remaining works by immediately commencing water intake points and water treatment plant, completing the three pending overhead reservoirs in the city in Hengrabari, Panjabari and Basistha hills, laying the distribution network across the project area, conducting pipeline testing and finally providing household connection,” forum chief convenor Nalini Kumar Deka said.Deka said the project, launched in 2013 to provide potable water to around 67,000 households, had made slow progress. The Asian Development Bank approved a loan for it in 2011, but withdrew support in 2018 because of delays. More than Rs 180 crore has already been invested in the project, he said.“Out of the four major water supply projects, three have been almost completed. It is deeply disappointing that the remaining project, which began in 2013, is yet to be completed despite being underway for over a decade, with 2026 already well underway,” he added.Following a cabinet decision on July 21, 2023, the project was brought under the Guwahati Jal Board with financial assistance from the New Development Bank. The Cabinet approved a revised administrative cost of Rs 1,420.76 crore on March 10 this year and awarded the design, build and operate contract to Larsen & Toubro Ltd. The agreement was signed on April 7, and work formally began on May 26.
