Living Conditions in Biswanath Chariali's Ward No. 11 Highlight Development Gaps
Severe Living Conditions in Ward No. 11
Biswanath Chariali, July 4: Nestled in the Biswanath district, Ward No. 11 is situated close to significant government offices, yet it starkly illustrates the disparity between development claims and actual living conditions.
This area, part of the Bishwanath Chariali municipality, houses some of the district's most underprivileged families. Residents struggle without essential services that urban local bodies are supposed to provide.
For many families, the dream of having access to clean drinking water and proper sanitation remains unfulfilled.
One local resident expressed frustration, stating, “There are no facilities here. We don’t even have decent homes. While many have received government housing under various schemes, we are still in makeshift shelters.”
She further added, “This is Kalyanpur, Ward No. 11. The government claims to supply water under JJM, but the taps are dry for most of the year. Sometimes, we only get water once a year. We depend on the pump well, and for sanitation, we have no option but to venture into the nearby jungles and tea gardens.”
An elderly resident shared her plight: “I have to go behind the house to relieve myself. Often, we head to the tea gardens, but the owners chase us away.”
Ironically, this ward is also home to significant institutions like Biswanath College and various district offices, yet the struggles of local residents go unnoticed by authorities.
Locals report that the urban water supply scheme serves only about 625 homes out of nearly 4,000 in the municipality. The water supply in Ward 11 has deteriorated; what used to be a twice-daily supply has now been reduced to once due to machinery failures.
Dinesh Nayak, a state leader of CPI (M), remarked, “There is no respect for the people living here. The town committee and municipal board have neglected their responsibility to provide basic amenities. The environment is so unhealthy that residents, especially children, are at constant risk. There is only one public toilet for over 50 families, which is always overcrowded, leading to daily conflicts. Many avoid it and resort to open defecation. The MLA and municipal leaders should not only come here to gather votes; they need to engage with the community, understand their issues, and work towards improving their living conditions. It’s disgraceful that people living next to the DC’s office have to defecate in tea gardens,” Nayak added.
Residents also claim that their ward member seldom visits, leaving them without a platform to express their concerns.
“All we have is a ration card. That’s what keeps us alive,” one woman stated. Many residents make a living through odd jobs in tea gardens or as daily wage workers, barely earning enough for a meal each day.
The community of Ward No. 11 is now urging authorities to ensure access to clean drinking water, functional public toilets, and government housing.