The Guwahati Municipal Corporation’s (GMC) outdated water pipeline network is emerging as a major cause of concern for the city’s road conditions. The ageing infrastructure, particularly in areas surrounding Panbazar Public Health Engineering Department (PHED), Tarun Ram Phookan Park, MG Road, Sukreshwar Temple, and the Guwahati High Court, has led to frequent leakages, resulting in persistent road deterioration and waterlogging.
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Despite ongoing restoration efforts, residents and commuters continue to suffer as leaking pipelines repeatedly damage repaired roads, making them unsafe for daily travel.
Several roads in Guwahati are plagued by recurrent potholes and structural damage, largely due to water seepage from leaking pipelines buried underneath. The affected areas, particularly in Panbazar and its surrounding locations, have become hotspots for road degradation.
A resident of Panbazar, speaking to GPlus, said, “Every year, the same problem occurs. The roads are repaired, but within a few months, they are damaged again. The authorities blame pipe leaks, but there seems to be no permanent solution.”
The continuous seepage of water weakens the road structure, leading to cracks, potholes, and eventual caving in of certain sections. This also contributes to severe waterlogging, further disrupting traffic and pedestrian movement.
A senior GMC official from the waterworks department acknowledged the issue, stating that nearly 20 major locations across the city suffer from pipe leakage.
“There are leakages in around 20 major locations. Since the pipelines are positioned under the middle of the road, restoration has been a daunting task. Instead of frequent repairs, we are planning to relocate the pipes towards the sides of the roads. We have already requested the concerned authorities for permission,” the official said.
GMC’s proposal includes shifting the pipelines away from the road’s centre to facilitate easier maintenance in the future. This move is expected to reduce the frequency of road damage caused by underground water seepage.
The pipeline relocation project, once approved, will be assigned to a private contractor through a tender process.
“After the project begins, it will take approximately 15 to 20 days to complete. Traffic flow in the affected areas will be disrupted for about three to four days,” the GMC official explained.
The estimated budget for the relocation stands at Rs 15 lakh, with the costs primarily covering excavation, new pipeline installation, and road restoration. The work is expected to begin towards the end of February.
For years, residents and commuters in affected areas have voiced their frustration over the GMC’s inability to resolve the issue permanently. Many argue that frequent road repairs are a temporary fix, with the core issue remaining unaddressed.
A daily commuter in Panbazar said, “This problem has existed for decades. The roads are patched up, but as soon as another pipe leakage happens, the surface gets damaged again. The money spent on multiple restorations could have been used to fix the problem permanently.”
Others expressed concerns about the inconvenience the upcoming pipeline work will bring. “If it takes 15-20 days, the entire area will be in chaos. We just hope that this project actually solves the problem and is not another temporary fix,” said a shop owner near Sukreshwar Temple.
This is not the first time GMC’s ageing infrastructure has come under scrutiny. Over the years, several parts of Guwahati have witnessed road deterioration caused by leaking pipelines, inefficient drainage systems, and poorly managed construction projects.
Similar issues have been reported in areas like Dispur, Fancy Bazar, and Paltan Bazar, where underground infrastructure has frequently caused surface-level damage. The lack of proper coordination between GMC, the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB), and the Public Works Department (PWD) has only worsened the situation, leading to delays in restoration and increased public frustration.
While the GMC’s plan to relocate the pipelines appears to be a step in the right direction, the success of the project will depend on its timely execution and quality of work. Until then, residents and commuters will have to navigate the deteriorating roads, hoping that this initiative will bring long-term relief.
The question remains—will this be the permanent solution the city has been waiting for, or just another temporary fix in the city’s long list of infrastructural failures?
As complaints emerge about JJM projects that have been completed but fail to supply water, an ongoing audit has been launched to inspect the quality of the infrastructure. However, contractors allege that the audits are being misused as a tool to delay payments, putting them under financial strain.
The fundamental goal of JJM is to provide clean and safe drinking water to every household. However, several villages in Assam have reported that despite infrastructure being laid, water is not reaching households.