A major reason for the city’s road degradation is the lack of coordination between various government agencies, which frequently dig up restored roads for their projects, leaving PWD to handle the aftermath
As monsoon looms over Guwahati, the city's crumbling road infrastructure and ongoing restoration delays have left residents frustrated and apprehensive. The Public Works Department (PWD), already struggling with resource constraints, now faces an uphill battle to make the city's roads even remotely monsoon-ready. With roads across Guwahati left in a disoriented state due to repeated digging by various departments, concerns over waterlogging, pothole-related accidents, and traffic snarls have resurfaced.
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Guwahati’s road infrastructure has been in a state of decline for years, with multiple instances of incomplete or shoddy restoration work compounding the crisis.
In December 2024, the plight of residents in KK Bhatta Road, Chenikuthi, highlighted how prolonged road and drainage renovation projects had disrupted daily life. The work, which began in February 2024, was still incomplete ten months later, leaving the area virtually inaccessible. Even emergency services like ambulances and fire trucks struggled to pass through the blocked streets. Despite repeated complaints, the authorities failed to expedite the process, leaving residents in distress.
Similarly, in the Kaalapaani area of West Gotanagar, the PWD initiated drainage construction but abandoned the project midway, forcing residents to endure unpaved and hazardous roads. Locals claim that the last significant restoration of these roads took place in 2007, making them nearly impossible to navigate, especially during monsoon. Despite multiple appeals, authorities have failed to respond.
A major reason for the city’s road degradation is the lack of coordination between various government agencies, which frequently dig up restored roads for their projects, leaving PWD to handle the aftermath.
Several arterial roads, including Mother Teresa Road, GS Road, and sections of Rajgarh, have been dug up multiple times for pipeline, power, and water projects undertaken by agencies like the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB), Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited (PBGPL), Powergrid, and others. As a result, the roads have never been fully restored, leading to uneven surfaces, potholes, and erosion during heavy rains.
When asked about the issue, a PWD official revealed a crucial problem in funding, "PBGPL has signed an MoU with the government where it doesn’t sanction any funds to PWD for restoration. Earlier, GJB used to provide funds, but now the situation has changed. Without financial support from these agencies, we cannot keep restoring the same roads over and over again."
This highlights a fundamental issue—PWD is expected to repair roads repeatedly without the necessary financial backing, leading to subpar patchwork instead of long-term solutions.
Despite the poor state of most roads, restoration work often takes a selective approach. The crucial GS Road undergoes patchwork repairs from time to time, but several other routes remain completely neglected. A PWD official admitted that restoration work is often prioritised based on visits by dignitaries, "The department has no funds for proper restoration. In case of visits by dignitaries, we fix the roads through which they travel. That’s how things work."
This approach has drawn sharp criticism from the public, as everyday commuters are forced to struggle through pothole-ridden roads while certain sections are swiftly repaired for VIP movements.
For ordinary citizens, the deteriorating roads are more than just an inconvenience—they are a serious threat to safety. The combination of potholes, waterlogging, and poor street lighting has led to a rise in accidents and vehicle damage, with two-wheeler riders being particularly vulnerable.
A resident from Bhetapara expressed frustration, "We have been complaining about the waterlogged roads for months, but no one listens. Every time it rains, the potholes become death traps. The authorities only act when there’s a major accident."
A similar sentiment was echoed by a motorist from Narengi, "Forget about long-term solutions; even basic repairs are not done properly. Roads that are ‘fixed’ in a hurry develop cracks within weeks. The lack of accountability is shocking."
With the monsoon expected to arrive in the coming months, Guwahati’s inadequate road conditions pose serious risks:
- Increased Traffic Congestion: Already struggling with daily gridlocks, key stretches like Khanapara, Six Mile, and Paltan Bazar are likely to experience even worse traffic as potholes and waterlogging slow down vehicle movement.
- Higher Accident Rates: Poorly maintained roads combined with heavy rainfall will increase the chances of vehicles skidding, leading to accidents.
- Waterlogging and Drainage Failures: Areas like Zoo Road Tiniali, Bhaskar Nagar, and Geetanagar have faced severe waterlogging issues in the past, and the lack of proper drainage maintenance indicates that the situation will worsen.
- Delayed Emergency Response: With ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles already struggling to navigate congested roads, monsoon-induced bottlenecks could have life-threatening consequences.
Despite repeated complaints and mounting public pressure, PWD has shown little urgency in addressing the crisis. The department remains financially constrained and unable to conduct large-scale repairs before the rains arrive. Even if work begins now, most roads will not be restored in time.
"The only relief for residents will be before Durga Puja when restoration projects are taken up. Until then, the city will have to suffer," said a source from PWD.
Guwahati’s road crisis is not just a seasonal problem—it is a result of years of mismanagement, financial constraints, and inter-departmental conflicts. While PWD struggles to maintain even the most basic infrastructure, unchecked digging by other agencies continues to undo whatever little progress is made.
As monsoon nears, commuters are left with no choice but to navigate unsafe roads, endure long traffic jams, and risk accidents. Until systemic changes are made, Guwahati’s road woes will remain an endless cycle of temporary fixes and long-term suffering.
The failure of authorities to address these long-standing road issues reflects a broader governance problem in Guwahati. Without proper coordination between agencies and an increase in restoration funds, the city’s infrastructure will continue to deteriorate. With no immediate solutions in sight, Guwahati’s residents are left wondering: How much worse will it get before authorities finally take action?