JJM in Shambles: Assam Villages Thirst as Water Projects Collapse

Amid growing scrutiny over alleged irregularities in government schemes, Assam’s Public Health Engineering (PHE) Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah finds himself at the centre of controversy, not only for his wife's receipt of government aid for a dairy farm but also for the abysmal state of piped water supply schemes under his department.

Across several districts in Assam, people are raising their voices against defunct or substandard projects launched under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM), Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship initiative aimed at providing clean drinking water to every rural household. Despite massive spending, residents claim that many of these schemes have failed to deliver even a drop of potable water.

Allegations from Golaghat and Morangi

In Golaghat’s Katkatiya area, under the Jal Jeevan Mission, serious allegations of corruption have emerged. The Tai Ahom Students' Union’s Purba Morangi regional committee submitted a formal complaint to the Deputy Commissioner, pointing to irregularities in implementation. Local residents have complained of receiving iron-contaminated water, which has allegedly caused a rise in waterborne illnesses in the village.

Hailakandi’s ₹1-Crore Scheme a Total Failure

In Hailakandi district’s Rongpur village under the Katlicherra constituency, a water supply scheme built at a cost of over ₹1 crore has become a monument of failure. Locals claim they haven’t received a single drop of clean drinking water from the project, which broke down just three months after completion. With the project lying in disrepair, villagers have been forced to fetch water from the nearby river, leading to severe health risks.

Despite repeated complaints to departmental engineers, no action has been taken. Villagers have now appealed directly to Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to intervene and reconstruct the failed scheme.

Kaziranga Project: Old Pipes, New Promises, No Water

In Bokakhat, the much-hyped Kaziranga water supply project, re-inaugurated in 2021 with a promise to serve 20 villages, has also proven a disappointment. Though the project was relaunched with repainted 15-year-old infrastructure, residents say not a single village has received a consistent water supply since the inauguration. The site is now overrun by wild vegetation, and locals are relying on untreated river water for daily needs. Disillusioned residents have openly challenged the minister, asking him to deliver on his promises.

90% of JJM Projects Non-Functional, Say Locals

In Numaligarh’s Borchapori area, despite the presence of a JJM pipeline, nearly 30 households in the Bargoria locality remain without access to clean water. Across the state, similar stories abound, locals allege that 90% of water supply schemes implemented by the PHE Department have either collapsed or remain non-functional. Even in areas where projects have been marked as “complete,” years have passed without any actual water delivery.

Kotahguri Project Still Incomplete After Two Years

In Raha’s Kotahguri, work on a JJM water supply scheme started in 2023 but remains incomplete to date. The area surrounding the project site has become overgrown with weeds, and locals are losing patience. “Either complete the work and give us water, or dismantle the whole thing,” angry residents told reporters. The frustration was captured on-site by local journalist Asim Chetry, who highlighted the community's demand for transparency and accountability.

A Deepening Crisis

As complaints pile up, so does public anger. While the minister appears embroiled in controversies over alleged preferential benefits for his wife’s dairy venture, critical infrastructure under his department is crumbling. The growing list of non-functional or failed water projects has drawn sharp criticism from affected communities and student bodies alike, with increasing calls for independent audits, criminal investigations into fund misuse, and immediate government intervention.

Also Read: Sipajhar Village Struggles for Clean Water Despite Jal Jeevan Mission