The latest garbage crisis is yet another example of the GMC’s inefficacy in managing waste and addressing public grievances.
Despite the removal of the makeshift garbage transfer station from the embankment road connecting Bhetapara and Saukuchi, residents of Saukuchi are yet again left grappling with an unpleasant and persistent problem. Instead of resolving the issue, the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has merely shifted the problem to another locality. The new dumping site on Saukuchi road, just beyond Duat Bazar, has done nothing but escalate the situation, leaving residents frustrated.
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Rather than finding a permanent solution, the GMC has continued to play a game of relocation, much to the dismay of the residents. While the embankment road might now be free of filth, the crisis has simply been transferred to a different area, causing severe implications for sanitation, hygiene, and the health of local citizens. The manner in which the GMC has handled the situation speaks volumes about their incapacity to address a basic civic issue such as waste management.
The relocation of the dump to Saukuchi road has brought a new wave of discontent. One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their frustrations, stating, “It’s not like the problem has been solved; they’ve just moved the mess from one place to another. The stench is unbearable, and there’s garbage everywhere. We’re suffering because of the GMC’s inability to find a proper solution.
Another resident commented, “This is a complete failure on the part of the GMC. They promised us better waste management, but all we’ve got is a shifted problem. This isn’t the solution we asked for.
Despite repeated pleas from the public, the GMC appears unperturbed by the inconveniences faced by the people of Saukuchi. What was previously a problem for the residents of Sijubari, Ghoramara and the areas surrounding the embankment road has now become the burden of those living near Saukuchi road. With each passing day, the crisis worsens, and yet the GMC fails to act swiftly or decisively.
In addition to the relocation fiasco, the daily disposal of garbage in the entire locality has also been severely disrupted. The lack of a legitimate space to set up a proper transfer station has resulted in garbage piling up on streets for days, attracting stray animals and creating an unsanitary environment.
Local residents have complained about the irregular garbage collection services, which have only worsened in recent months. “We used to see the garbage pick-up vans regularly, but now it’s like they’ve forgotten about us,” one local remarked anonymously. “Sometimes they don’t show up for days, and we’re left with overflowing bins that no one comes to clear.
Another resident echoed this frustration, stating, “It’s been months, and the GMC still hasn’t figured out a proper system. The vans come whenever they feel like it. The roads are filthy, and it feels like we’ve been abandoned.
The latest garbage crisis is yet another example of the GMC’s inefficacy in managing waste and addressing public grievances. Over the years, Guwahati has seen an influx of complaints regarding the GMC’s handling of garbage collection and disposal, with Saukuchi being the latest victim of their incompetence.
The GMC has repeatedly failed to provide systematic solutions for waste management in the city. Despite being a prominent city and having early access to various facilities, Guwahati’s waste disposal infrastructure remains in a sorry state, plagued by delays and inefficiencies; Citizens are left wondering why basic services such as garbage collection are handled so poorly.
GMC’s failures have not gone unnoticed. Previous media reports have also highlighted the corporation’s negligence in addressing critical issues. In 2022, several reports on the lack of proper sanitation services in many wards of Guwahati were out. A similar situation had unfolded in the Bharalumukh area, where residents had complained about a broken garbage collection system. Just like in Saukuchi, the problem persisted for months before any action was taken.
The current situation in Saukuchi has reached a tipping point. The negligence on the part of the GMC has left residents questioning the corporation's ability to govern effectively. With each day that passes without a solution, public frustration grows.
“Imagine how incapable an authority has to be to stall such important issues which affect the daily lives of the residents,” said one resident. “We have been waiting for a proper garbage management system for years now, and all they’ve done is relocate the problem.
Many residents are also comparing the situation in Guwahati to that of other Indian cities. “Cities like Indore have managed to establish clean and efficient waste management systems, yet here in Guwahati, we’re still stuck with this mess,” commented another citizen. “It’s embarrassing that our capital city can’t even handle basic sanitation.
When approached by local media outlet GPlus, a GMC official admitted to the delay in addressing the waste disposal issue. “There is no open space for the dumping of garbage collected by the small e-vehicles,” the official said. “As a result, there is a significant delay in collecting garbage. The authority will figure out a space for transfer stations. Meanwhile, we have been getting complaints about the disrupted services, and we are trying to curb it.
While the GMC has acknowledged the complaints, their response has been anything but reassuring. Citizens are sceptical of any significant action being taken, given the corporation’s history of making hollow promises and delayed responses.
The garbage crisis in Saukuchi is just one of many examples of the GMC’s inability to manage waste effectively in the city. As the largest city in Assam, Guwahati should be leading by example when it comes to cleanliness and sanitation. Yet, the GMC has consistently failed to uphold basic civic standards, leaving residents to deal with the consequences of their negligence.
It is high time the GMC realises the severity of the issue and implements a permanent solution for the garbage disposal crisis in Saukuchi and other affected areas. Until then, the residents of Guwahati remain stuck in an unending cycle of mismanagement and neglect, hoping for a day when the authorities finally wake up and do their job.
The GMC’s negligence has left Saukuchi in a state of disarray, with no solution in sight for the ongoing garbage crisis. As the city struggles with sanitation and hygiene issues, the question remains: how long will it take for the authorities to step up and address the needs of the people they are meant to serve? Until then, the residents of Saukuchi and other affected areas are left to fend for themselves in a city that appears to have been forgotten by those responsible for its upkeep.
