Guwahati, the largest city in Assam and North-East India, is on its way to becoming a ‘Smart City’. The Guwahati Development Department under the Government of Assam has established a Smart City Plan. It envisions establishing itself as a Regional Hub for North East India. It aims to become a de-congested, flood-resilient city using sustainable development practices and improve the public realm of the city. It also hosted the G20 Summit meeting in 2023, in an attempt to connect the G20 governments and their local youth.
The recent developments that can be seen in infrastructure are the Legislative Assembly and the malls like City Centre, as well as public places like the Brahmaputra Heritage Centre, the Guwahati Riverfront, the new Maligaon Flyover, and the Basistha- Jalukbari stretch of the Guwahati Bypass.
The Guwahati Metropolitan Drinking Water and Sewerage Board (GMDWSB) has also undertaken projects to improve water supply and sewage infrastructure in the city.
This includes the construction of water treatment plants, installation of pipelines, and upgrading of sewage treatment facilities to revamp sanitation in the city.
Guwahati has seen rapid urban population growth in recent decades. Better medical facilities, more employment opportunities and the hopes of a better life are the reasons rural to-urban migration is on the rise, especially from neighboring towns and villages in Assam.
The large population of diverse people residing in the city paves its way to becoming a cosmopolitan soon. Urbanization has had a profound impact on the culture of the city, especially its young population.
It has seen an increase in the number of cafes and restaurants that offer a variety of exotic food from all over the world. There is a noticeable assimilation of a globalized culture, especially American and Pan- Asian cuisines. The American Fast-food culture has integrated itself with the establishments of fast-food restaurants like KFC, Burger King, McDonalds, Taco Bell, and coffeehouse companies like Starbucks. People prefer eating out on weekends and special occasions as opposed to eating home-cooked meals.
Korean and Japanese-themed restaurants, like Kori’s, have also gained popularity after the music industry of South Korea gained massive recognition around the world. Guwahati has also seen the formation of fan clubs like the Guwahati Anime Café established in 2011, where all the anime enthusiasts get together and connect on their love for the Japanese animation style.
The Korean Culture Guwahati Fanclub, established in 2019 also hosts events for the fans of the Korean entertainment industry. Guwahati also hosted the All-India K-Pop Contest 2023, commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and India.
As the city continues to evolve and grow, it is crucial to prioritize sustainable development practices to mitigate the negative impacts of urbanisation. With urbanisation comes environmental degradation and pollution. To counter these issues, the pollution and deforestation that come with infrastructure development need to be compensated by using eco-friendly methods to reach its goal of becoming a Smart City. The Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced his ambitious vision to transform Guwahati into India’s first city entirely powered by a Green Public System of Transportation by 2025. The new parks and the riverfront advocate for sustainability and greenery in the city. He also plans to replace all the vehicles with Electric Vehicles (EVs) in order to combat carbon emissions.
Urbanization shapes cities, reflecting the evolving needs and aspirations of society. Looking at the intensity and speed at which the city is developing, it is a matter of time before Guwahati facilitates Metro services and becomes one of the fastest-growing cities in the Northeast. Globalisation and urbanisation are the key factors in turning the city into a metropolis and aligning itself with its visions for a Smart City.
As we navigate the complexities of urbanisation, it is essential to understand the role it plays in shaping the overall developments in and around Guwahati.
