Authorities had promised a systematic approach to resolving the waterlogging problem ahead of the rainy season, but little has been done on ground
ALSO READ: Morigaon Poised To Become Assam's Next Industrial & Investment Hub
The much-promised flood-free Rukminigaon initiative appears to be failing even before the monsoon arrives. Despite repeated assurances by authorities, residents of Rukminigaon are raising serious concerns over incomplete drainage work, non-functional pumps, and a lack of scientific planning. With past monsoons bringing waterlogging and misery, the delay in executing mitigation measures during the dry season has left locals questioning the entire effort.
Rukminigaon, home to around 17,000–18,000 people and with a voter base of approximately 12,500, has been plagued by waterlogging issues for years. Authorities had promised a systematic approach to resolving the problem ahead of the rainy season. However, ground realities tell a different story.
Talking to GPlus, Sargam R Subeder, a resident of Rukminigaon said, “They started digging and construction work, but they never conducted a proper survey to understand the problem. “Right now, there is only one pump that works—and that too, only sometimes. When it fails, water enters our houses and floods our boundaries. What scientific study have they even done?”
Frustration is growing among locals, who see history repeating itself. “If they are not working in the dry season, when will they work?” Subeder asked. “Will they again wait until the monsoons and then claim it is too difficult to carry out work in heavy rains?”
One of the biggest issues is the inefficiency of the pumping system. According to a resident who has lived in Rukminigaon for over 50 years, the new strategies implemented by the authorities are merely patchwork fixes.
“They built a guard wall after realising that the Bahini riverbed level was higher than the surrounding land. But instead of a natural drainage solution, they opted for pumping the water out,” he explained. “The problem is, if the pumps don’t work properly, the drain water enters our homes through various bylanes. They installed two electric pumps, but neither actually works.”
He further added, “The authorities originally planned to build a sluice gate to regulate water flow, but that plan failed too. Now, instead of addressing the root cause, they are just trying to cover up their past failures.”
In areas like Rupalim Path, Anupam Path, and Bishnu Path, residents have been living with waterlogging issues for years. A resident from Rupali Path described how even a moderate spell of rain can cause flooding inside their homes.
“The drain water frequently overflows into our boundaries, and sometimes, it even enters our homes,” the resident said. “The entire drainage mitigation plan for Rukminigaon is a failure. This is a long-standing issue, and we are tired of repeatedly complaining to the authorities. It’s not just the contractors who neglect their duties; the engineers and the higher officials are equally responsible. There is no proper planning.”
When asked about the non-functional pump and stalled construction work, a senior official from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) admitted that the situation needs closer inspection.
“We will try to look into the exact cause of why the water pump is not operational 24/7,” the official said. “Currently, we have 306 drain projects under tender, and an additional 120 drains are still in the tender process.”
However, the official also shifted some responsibility to the Public Works Department (PWD), saying, “It is the PWD’s duty to ensure that construction meets quality standards. Even after drains are built and cleaned, they are not being checked properly, and that is a major concern.”
Attempts to contact PWD officials for a response were unsuccessful, as they did not respond to calls or messages.
Meanwhile, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has announced a new master drainage plan for the city. The initiative aims to develop a more comprehensive drainage system to better manage stormwater.
A GMDA source explained, “We are working on a scientific study for a long-term drainage solution. A master plan will soon be submitted to the government.”
However, locals remain sceptical about how effective this plan will be in resolving immediate concerns. Residents near the Skoda showroom and Health City hospital continue to suffer from severe flooding, as water from multiple areas converges at Beltola, overwhelming the drainage capacity.
While authorities make claims of long-term planning, residents argue that the failure to manage Rukminigaon’s flooding stems from a lack of urgency and coordination. Over the past decade, various mitigation efforts have been attempted, including new drains, additional pumps, and so-called scientific studies. However, each initiative seems to have collapsed due to poor execution and lack of follow-up.
Experts say that the core issue lies in the Bahini river’s unnatural elevation compared to the drainage outlets of Rukminigaon. “A long-term solution must focus on natural water flow instead of over-reliance on electric pumps that fail during critical periods,” said a city-based environmental consultant. “Rukminigaon’s waterlogging problem will persist unless a dedicated drainage system is designed based on real-time ground assessments.”
As monsoon nears, the authorities’ preparedness remains questionable. In past years, last-minute cleaning of drains and setting up temporary water pumps have failed to prevent flooding. With unfinished projects and non-functional pumps, many residents fear another monsoon of hardship.
“Our homes turn into water pools every year, and yet, the authorities keep delaying the solutions,” said a frustrated resident from Bishnu Path. “Instead of waiting for another disaster, why are they not fixing the existing problems now?”
A recent site visit by GPlus found that key drainage points in the locality remain clogged, and several under-construction drains have been left incomplete. Despite GMC and GMDA’s assurances, no substantial groundwork was visible, reinforcing residents’ doubts over the administration’s intent.
The failure to execute flood mitigation work during the dry season has left Rukminigaon’s residents deeply frustrated. With pumps that don’t function consistently, failed drainage projects, and no accountability from authorities, the core issues remain unresolved.
As monsoon approaches, residents are left asking: If not now, when? Will they have to endure another season of flooded homes and disrupted lives? Or will the authorities finally take meaningful action before it’s too late? Until those questions are answered, the fear of another devastating monsoon looms large over Rukminigaon.
