In what used to be a traditional Congress bastion the prestigious Gauhati East constituency, has been with the BJP since the 2016 assembly elections, as the party swept to power in Assam riding on an anti-incumbency and the nationwide Modi wave post the 2014 Lok Sabha polls.
Extremely urban in character with its distinct feature of a mix of the old and the new, the constituency has overgrown itself which typically speaking are a characteristic of a fast-growing metropolitan center. Therefore, it is no surprise that it catches the attention of all and sundry while whatever work is undertaken in this constituency also acts as a barometer to measure the performance of any ruling dispensation in Dispur.
The pride and prestige associated with the constituency, being the seat of power it is, makes it one of the most sought-after seat across the electoral landscape in Assam.
However, beyond the power, glamour and the glitterati associated with the constituency, there are problems galore, which range from basic civic concerns such as power supply, drinking water woes, poor and dysfunctional streetlights, overcrowded and chaotic market places, encroachments, traffic congestion and poor traffic management and also issues connected to the river bank forming parts of the tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
BJP's vision for Guwahati in 2016
• Preventing traffic congestion by building new roads, widening existing roads and creating few Tunnel Routes wherever necessary
• Establishing a new water supply system to cover the entire population of the city
• Using state-of-the-art technologies to prevent flash floods
• Reorganising the garbage disposal system of the city in line with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
• Building large number of green parks and joggers’ points all over the city
• Protecting water bodies in and around the city
What do we have – The report card
Many of the issues highlighted above stand in stark contrast to the original claims of the party. The traffic issues have only risen in the area. Few even blame it on the construction of the foot-over bridges which has reduced the width of the road.
The old water supply continues to provide water to many households however many areas have no connection or have sporadic supply. Works have been done in this regard with the water supply slated to be received in a chronological order of proximity with the Rajgarh, Lachit Nagar and Christian Basti to receive it first once it is operational.
As per an official from the Jal Board, "there are intentions of interlinking with the West Guwahati Water Supply to Kharghuli. For this, we have done 9 km of work earlier. The excess water will be diverted and a decision on this will be taken," added the official.
Flash floods have worsened in few parts of the East Constituency. In Birubari interiors, the drains are blocked throughout due to a lack of waste segregation. As a result of which, the area remains flooded through the monsoons. The Rupkowar Path in Birubari has been exposed to flash flooding since the 1990s.
As for recreations, the park including the Nehru Park, Shraddhanjali Kanan and all the major parks are in dilapidated condition following the outbreak of COVID-19 with no maintenance.
Civic issues remain rampant
The voters of the area are upset with the running water supply in the area. “Even after repeated assurances, there is no water supply. Every year before elections they come to us claiming that they will solve this issue,” said a Rajgarh resident.
The hillside people of the Geetamandir are also upset with the lack of maintenance of the temple. They are yet to receive any drinking water with streetlights remaining dysfunctional. However, not all issues can be connected to the MLA. Since the city wars are without an elected municipal collector, the people have shown their concerns to the MLA.
The parameter readings of the Brahmaputra are below the ideal satisfactory mark, but the pollutant level of the Bharalu is much higher. A decade ago, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) declared the Bharalu River as one of the most polluted rivers in the country. However, its levels of pollution remain dismal even after 10 years. The Bharalu River was even categorized under the 'priority 1' category of polluted river stretches by the CPCB.
Opposition questions incumbent MLA
The opposition Congress had questioned the local MLA for being apathetic to the people of the constituency. "We claim Guwahati to be the gateway to the Northeast but the situation remains worrisome," said Congress spokesperson Bobbeeta Sharma. She had lost to BJP’s Siddhartha Bhattacharya during the 2016 Assembly polls.
The Congress leader further raised the issue of the degradation of the rivers such as the Bharalu.
Notably however, the makeover given to the city by constructing glitzy walkovers in prime locations of the city just ahead of the elections is proof that ruling dispensation wants to showcase Guwahati as a measure of its success. The BJP in its 2016 manifesto pledged to solve the traffic congestion by constructing new roads, widening existing roads and creating few Tunnel Routes wherever necessary. Establishing a new water supply system to cover the entire population of the city was also part of the promise made to the voters.
However, voters said many of such promises have remained only on paper