Polls near, poor roads & potable water crisis still plague Jalukbari

Guwahati: Residents of the Jalukbari assembly constituency, which has a total of 2,07,642 voters, have flagged a series of long-standing civic issues ahead of the upcoming elections, with dilapidated roads, lack of potable water and irregular garbage collection topping their list of concerns.This constituency comprises a total of 11 wards under the Guwahati Municipal Corporation, along with areas under the North Guwahati Municipal Board and the Rani Development Block. Rubul Azeem, a resident of Sadek Ali Path, said, “Although the construction work has begun, there are still parts of the lane which are incomplete. Pothole-ridden stretches and inadequate drainage make commute difficult.”Access to clean drinking water remains another persistent issue. Locals said they often need to rely on private sources for regular supply. People residing in the Matiya area, near Azara, claim that they have to walk for 2-3km daily to access potable water.Garbage management remains another persistent issue in Azara. Residents have raised serious environmental concerns over the deteriorating condition of the Deepor Beel. “This designated Ramsar site has been facing increasing pollution due to its proximity to the Boragaon dumping ground,” said Pramodh Kalita, a resident.In the seat from which CM Himanta Biswa Sarma is contesting, voters want these issues to be resolved with the attention they deserve.