The streets are cleaner, the air less foul, and roads more accessible, but the war for accountability is far from over
GUWAHATI: For years, the residents of Ghoramara and Sijubari in Guwahati suffered the unbearable stench, unsanitary conditions, and persistent neglect of their area. What was once a stretch of road leading to Bhetapara and Saukuchi had turned into a health hazard, thanks to the Guwahati Municipal Corporation's (GMC) ill-conceived use of the space for garbage disposal. The embankment road, supposed to be a short route for local commuters, was reduced to a garbage-strewn nightmare, littered with debris, foul odours, and worsening road conditions.
Also Read: Are Diagnostic Centres In Guwahati Credible?
The unsupervised transfer station, set up to facilitate the temporary holding of waste, had sprawled far beyond its intended boundaries, enveloping the entire stretch of the road. What should have been a localised, manageable facility became a symbol of neglect and inefficiency. But the transfer station was not the only blight on this crucial roadway—an illegal wholesale fish market, operating without regulation, had also taken root, further compounding the area's misery.
Despite continuous complaints and pleas for action, authorities turned a blind eye. It was the local community, not the GMC, that finally took action. Residents were left to fend for themselves as they struggled against mounting garbage piles, unhygienic surroundings, and blocked roads. According to one anonymous resident, "We had complained so many times, but it was like screaming into a void. The authorities didn't care. The garbage trucks would park right outside our homes, and the fish vendors were just as bad. It was a nightmare."
For years, the situation deteriorated, leaving the embankment road almost impassable. With garbage trucks blocking the way and fish vendors conducting their business openly in unsanitary conditions, the residents’ daily lives were severely disrupted. Health concerns became rampant, with the unhygienic conditions acting as a breeding ground for diseases. Yet, the GMC seemed more content to watch from the sidelines, doing little to alleviate the growing crisis.
It wasn't until residents reached their breaking point that change finally came. Tired of the lack of accountability from the GMC, local community groups rallied together, determined to reclaim their space. With sheer determination and a deep-rooted sense of responsibility for their neighbourhood, they organised protests and demanded immediate action from the authorities.
"We knew we had to do something. The authorities were clearly not going to help, so we took matters into our own hands," explained another resident. "It wasn't just about the garbage anymore—it was about our health, our children, and our right to live in a clean environment."
Public protests became impossible to ignore, and after months of stalling, the authorities were forced to act. Under public pressure, the GMC finally closed down the illegal fish market, which was relocated to Duat Bazar. Although the vendors claim to have acquired land for their market there, the authenticity of their claims remains unverified.
Also Read: Assam To Build ₹107.89-Crore State-of-the-Art Sports Stadium In Kokrajhar
The transfer station, which had spread across the entire road, was significantly closed. "We stood against what was wrong, and we will do it again if need be. It was about the safety of the residents and the cleanliness of the area. We have marked it as protected land, and we won’t let anyone deteriorate the environment again," said a member of the local committee. Their perseverance had paid off.
With the fish market removed and the transfer station being shut down, the embankment road has seen a significant transformation. The block-laid road, which was once inaccessible, now serves its intended purpose—connecting the local areas and providing residents with safe passage. The relief felt by the community is palpable.
However, the victory, while encouraging, remains fragile. The question remains whether the GMC will continue to maintain the area or allow it to fall into disrepair once again. Past experience suggests that the authorities cannot be relied upon to uphold their responsibilities without constant oversight. As one frustrated resident put it, "Things have improved for now, but we can’t get too comfortable. The authorities are quick to forget their promises once the spotlight is off. We’ll be watching."
The GMC’s reaction to the community’s success has been muted at best. A senior GMC official stated, "The fish market was discontinued in the area. The transfer station, which was smaller in size earlier, spread across the entire stretch due to continuous garbage dumping. Now, the locals are against it. We are figuring out something." This lukewarm response only highlights the corporation's inability to anticipate or prevent the problem in the first place. Had they acted sooner, residents would not have been subjected to such prolonged hardship.
The situation in Ghoramara and Sijubari is far from unique. Across Guwahati, numerous localities suffer under the weight of mismanagement and official apathy. The GMC, responsible for ensuring the city’s cleanliness and proper waste disposal, has repeatedly failed to deliver. In many areas, public spaces continue to be misused, and residents are left to fend for themselves. Local groups are often forced to step in when the authorities abandon their responsibilities, raising serious questions about the competency of those in power.
It is unacceptable that it took mass protests and public outrage to force the GMC into action. Even now, the corporation’s promises feel hollow, with no guarantee that the situation won’t deteriorate once again. A community-driven victory should not be the only means of achieving basic standards of hygiene and cleanliness in a city like Guwahati.
Local authorities must recognise that their inaction has consequences. Residents should not have to fight tooth and nail for services that are rightfully theirs. As the embankment road finally begins to fulfil its purpose, it is crucial that the GMC maintains its current standards and does not allow this area to revert to its former state. The residents of Ghoramara and Sijubari deserve better, and it is high time that the GMC takes responsibility for its failures.
For now, the locals have won a battle that should never have been theirs to fight. Their streets are cleaner, their air less foul, and their roads more accessible. But the war for accountability is far from over. The people of Guwahati have shown that they will not be silenced, and as one local leader put it, "If they try to let it slip again, we’ll be right here to remind them who this city really belongs to."
The GMC may have finally woken up to its duties, but only time will tell if they can be trusted to stay awake.
