The water shortage in Guwahati can no longer be overlooked. The reason for this, according to AK Das, Junior Engineer, PHE, is the old pipelines and the scheme itself. The distribution lines are almost 30 years old. "The amount of water supplied is same but the population has increased manifold and the water is never enough.' Only when the distribution network is improved people of the city can expect to lead a water worry-free life. The latest Rs 1,100-crore water supply scheme for Guwahati is expected to be the cure-all for all the water worries in the city but at the moment, there is a long way to go. Right now, the funding process is going on separately for the four zones. They are: North Guwahati, South West Zone Guwahati, South Central Zone Guwahati and South East Zone Guwahati. Recently, Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNURM) has provided Rs 280 crore for the West Zone. Currently, Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is carrying out their Special Assistant for Project Formation (SAPROF) for Greater Guwahati Water Supply and after this independent study, they are expected to fund another Rs 395 crore for the central zone. Once all the funds get collected only then the work can start. The main supply to the city is provided by multiple organisations like Assam Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Board (AUWSSB), Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), Public Health Engineering (PHE) and other government and private agencies. According to this new sheme, only one authority will be responsible for supplying water in the city similar to that of the Delhi Jal Board. When the Chief Engineer, GMC, Anil Kr Mishra was asked what he though of this one-body arrangement, he said: "One-body arrangement is the perfect solution to this longstanding problem. Only then will the responsibility be properly handled.' "The latest scheme is expected to be completed by 2011-2012 provided the funds proper time, till then the people of the city will have to learn to live with the present water problem as no long-term or major water supply scheme can be carried out alongside the proposed new scheme,' said the Chief Engineer. He added that they were planning to install 500-600 tube-wells in the areas worst hit by this water crisis but the funds have not been sanctioned. There is a lot to be done before one can expected water crisis in the city to vanish. But till then, the public has to be patient and wait a little more. Patience pays and hopefully this problem will ultimately come to pass within this four-years long wait.