Skip to content Skip to navigation

Acute Drinking Water Crisis Hits Holongamora Village Along Assam–Arunachal Border

By SK Hasan |

A severe drinking water crisis has gripped Holongamora village, located along the Assam–Arunachal Pradesh border under the Sonari Legislative Assembly constituency in Sapekhati Mouza. Villagers say they are struggling daily to secure even a single drop of safe drinking water.

Water scarcity has emerged as one of the most pressing concerns in this remote border village. Despite repeated attempts to dig tube wells in areas adjacent to the hilly terrain of Arunachal Pradesh, residents have failed to find sufficient groundwater sources.

This year’s significantly low rainfall has further aggravated the crisis. Ponds, wells and natural streams in the area have dried up completely, leaving behind cracked and barren earth. With no local sources available, villagers are now compelled to walk several kilometres each day to collect water from natural springs in the distant Gujarating hills to meet their basic needs.

Residents have appealed to the authorities for urgent intervention, warning that the situation could worsen if immediate and sustainable measures are not taken to ensure access to safe drinking water.

Author info

SK Hasan's picture

Freelance journalist, Nazira, Sibasagar district.
  • 12444 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Birth Anniversary of ‘Bonphulor Kobi’ Jatindranath Duwara Observed at Nazira

Nazira, March 4: The 134th birth anniversary of noted Assamese poet Jatindranath Duwara, popularly known as “Bonphulor Kobi”, was observed at 328 No. Kaphuwa Primary School in Nazira on March 4. The programme was organised by the voluntary organisation Agontuk. The observance began with the lighting of a ceremonial lamp before the poet’s portrait by the school’s headmaster Amrit Gogoi, while Pallavi Gogoi, president of the School Management Committee, paid floral tribute. As part of the event, a painting exhibition by artist Dipali Duwara and a drawing competition were inaugurated by Sattriya dance teacher Dibakar Gogoi. The main function was chaired by Jog Gogoi, president of...

Congress Yatra Held Across Upper Assam Constituencies

Nazira, Feb 28: The Indian National Congress on Saturday organized its “Samay Paribartanor Mati Bachaok, Jati Bachaok Yatra” across the Demow, Nazira and Sivasagar constituencies, drawing a significant turnout of party workers and supporters. Prominent leaders present at the programme included APCC president and Member of Parliament Gaurav Gogoi, senior Congress leader Debabrata Saikia, Ajay Kumar Gogoi, Pradyut Bordoloi, Bhaskar Baruah and several other party functionaries. Addressing the gathering, Gogoi stated that if the Congress forms the government in the coming days, justice would be ensured for noted singer Zubeen Garg. He sharply criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma...

Online Fraud on the Rise in Nazira Revenue Circle; Common People Targeted

 The Nazira Revenue Circle is witnessing a surge in online scams, with innocent people being targeted by fraudsters. The scammers are misusing the online system introduced by the state government for land-related services, exploiting citizens and causing significant financial losses. Recently, several applicants received phone calls from unknown numbers, asking for sensitive personal information and demanding money under the pretext of facilitating land-related work. The fraudsters are using the names of the Sivasagar and Nazira Revenue Circles to lure applicants. The Nazira Circle Officer, Chandana Baruah, confirmed that a complaint has been lodged with the police and...

Man Held with Large Quantity of Suspected Drugs Outside Simaluguri Police Station

Nazira, February 19: In a dramatic development, police apprehended a man with a large quantity of suspected drugs right in front of the Simaluguri Police Station in Nazira on Wednesday. According to reports, police intercepted a passenger Magic vehicle (registration number AS-04 AC-3916) that was travelling from Sivasagar town to Simaluguri. Acting on a reliable tip-off, officers stopped the vehicle as it reached the front of the police station and carried out a thorough search. During the operation, police recovered a substantial quantity of suspected narcotic substances from the vehicle. The driver was immediately taken into custody. The arrested individual has been identified as...

Gargaon College Achieves Autonomous Status from UGC

NAZIRA: In a landmark development for the academic landscape of Assam, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has officially conferred autonomous status upon Gargaon College, one of the state's most venerable institutions of higher learning. This significant recognition is slated for a ten-year duration, spanning the academic sessions from 2025-26 through 2035-36. The elevation to autonomous status marks a new chapter for the college, providing it with the requisite academic and administrative leverage to redefine its educational framework. Under this new mandate, the institution will be empowered to independently design its curriculum, evolve its own pedagogical methods, conduct...

Fire Erupts at Abandoned ONGC Oil Well in Nazira; Oil Theft Angle Suspected

An active and notorious oil theft racket operating in Upper Assam has once again come under the scanner after a fire broke out at an abandoned ONGC oil well in the Nazira area, with authorities suspecting a crude oil theft angle behind the incident. According to sources, miscreants have been targeting abandoned oil wells left behind by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), particularly in remote tea garden areas, to illegally siphon crude oil. Taking advantage of the absence of security personnel at several such oil fields, these groups have reportedly intensified their activities in recent months. On Thursday afternoon, miscreants allegedly set fire to an old ONGC oil well located...

Nazira’s ₹11.44-crore Pork Processing Plant Turns White Elephant

The much-publicised pig meat processing plant at Nazira in Assam’s Sivasagar district— inaugurated by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 12, 2024 — remains non-functional nearly a year later, raising serious questions about the state government’s planning and execution. The modern plant, built over eight bighas of land at a cost of ₹11.44 crore with both Central and State government funding, was conceived as a flagship project to boost Assam’s pig farming economy. It was designed to process and export pork to Southeast Asian markets while meeting the rising demand across the Northeast. At the inauguration, CM Sarma had announced an ambitious roadmap. “The plant will...

Restoration Work Begins at Historic British-Era Cemetery Inside ONGC Nazira Campus

After years of discussion and a long wait, restoration and beautification work has finally begun at the historic British-era cemetery located within the ONGC campus at Nazira. Though regarded as an important heritage site of the region, the colonial-era cemetery had remained neglected for decades. Towards the end of 2024, a concrete initiative was taken to renovate and preserve the cemetery with financial support from the Nazira MLA’s Local Area Development Fund. As part of the process, officials from the Nazira Co-District administration and the State Archaeology Department conducted site inspections and carried out a detailed assessment. During the inspection, officials observed...

Draft Electoral Roll Published for Sivasagar District; Total Voters at 5.72 Lakh

The draft electoral roll for the three Assembly constituencies of Sivasagar district—Demow, Sivasagar and Nazira—was published on December 27, officials said. As per official data, the total number of voters across the district’s three constituencies stands at 5,72,219. In the 95-Demow Assembly Constituency, the total number of voters is 1,79,210, including 88,004 male voters, 91,205 female voters and one voter from the third gender. The constituency has 230 polling stations. The 96-Sivasagar Assembly Constituency has a total of 2,09,778 voters, comprising 1,03,430 male voters, 1,06,347 female voters and one third-gender voter. This constituency has 278 polling stations. Meanwhile...

ATTSA, ATTWA Shut Down ONGC Assam Asset HQ in Nazira Over Tea Garden Displacement, Unfulfilled Promises

Normal functioning at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) Assam Asset headquarters in Nazira came to a complete standstill on December 24 following a massive sit-in protest staged by the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA) and the Assam Tea Tribes Women’s Association (ATTWA). The protest was organised in opposition to the eviction of tea garden land for oil and gas exploration and production activities, and against ONGC’s alleged failure to fulfil assurances made to the tea community following such land acquisitions. Protesters stated that the tea industry, which played a crucial role in introducing Assam to the global economy, is now facing systematic destruction...