For residents of Rukminigaon, seeing rubber boats, fishes, and even swans enjoying the floodwaters has become a common sight. Unfortunately, so has been dealing with persistent waterlogging issues.
The issue has been long-standing, and many residents blame the incomplete construction of drainage systems. Rukminigaon, a low-lying area, is particularly prone to flooding, and GPlus decided to uncover the real reasons behind Rukminigaon’s constant water woes.
The Low-Lying Curse
Talking to GPlus, a senior official from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) provided some insight. "First, Rukminigaon is one of the lowest points in Guwahati," he explained. “This topographical disadvantage means that water naturally accumulates in the area.”
He further elaborated, "Secondly, the water which comes from Meghalaya through the Skoda showroom area also ends up in Rukminigaon."
Incomplete Drainage Projects
Many residents allege that the construction of drains in Rukminigaon is incomplete, contributing to the persistent waterlogging.
"Every year, we deal with the same flooding problems. The construction of drains seems to start but never finishes,” said Anil Das, a long-time resident of Rukminigaon.
Mrigen Sarania, the mayor of GMC explained, "Rukminigaon is a low-lying area, and the Bahini River's level is higher, causing water to accumulate. We need to construct two culverts to allow the water to drain properly. The work is ongoing, but we have pumps in place to clear the water immediately. We are actively working on solving this issue."
The Role of Pumps
The GMC has installed pumps at key locations to help manage the waterlogging. "The pump at G.S. Road near Rukminigaon Bridge is already installed. There are two outlets where water is diverted. One outlet goes through Junali, and the other goes to Silsako Beel," another senior official from GMC informed GPlus.
While these pumps help alleviate the immediate flooding, they are not a permanent solution. The pumps can only manage a certain volume of water, and heavy rains can overwhelm them, leading to the familiar sight of flooded streets and homes.
The Impact on Daily Life
The residents say that the waterlogging in Rukminigaon affects their daily lives, from commuting to work to accessing basic services. Schools and businesses are disrupted, and the stagnant water poses health risks, creating breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other pests.
One resident shared her frustration saying, "Every time it rains, our lives are stuck. We need a permanent solution, not just temporary fixes."
Government Initiatives and Challenges
The Mission Flood-Free (MFF) initiative has focused on constructing and improving drainage systems, including the installation of pumps and the creation of new drainage channels.
A senior official from MFF told GPlus, “Since MFF started, the maximum work happened in 2024. But when it floods after rain in some places, it seems like the entire exercise was a failure.” He acknowledged that despite significant efforts, the flooding continues, indicating that the strategies employed may need to be revised.
He added, “The construction of footpaths and drains has been mostly unplanned. An underground drainage system and underground sewerage system should ideally be in the middle of the road, but the construction of flyovers has complicated this,” he explained.
In response to the ongoing issues, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) is developing a master drainage plan.
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Regarding Rukminigaon's flooding, a GMDA official cited specific areas of concern such as near the Skoda showroom and Health City hospital. "All these three areas come from the same direction and come together in a channel and meet at the Beltola point," he explained.
For the residents of Rukminigaon, the hope is that these efforts will eventually lead to a flood-free future. Effective implementation and long-term planning of the Government are crucial to resolving the issue permanently.