GUWAHATI: Guwahati has been grappling with an annual ordeal that seems to worsen yearly. The onset of the monsoon, a season that should typically herald hope and renewal, brings instead a grim predictability to the residents: unrelenting rain that swiftly transforms the city's streets into rivers, and neighborhoods into wading pools.
Despite numerous promises and initiatives by the authorities, the condition of Guwahati during rain remains woeful. Frequent construction and reconstruction projects, intended as solutions, have become a significant part of the problem.
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The previous year saw multiple construction efforts in flood-prone areas, raising hopes among the public that the end of their ceaseless plight might be near. However, these projects have failed to bring any relief. Instead, the city's infrastructure appears more overwhelmed than ever, and the frustration among the residents is almost palpable.
Every year, as the rain clouds gather over Guwahati, a sense of dread sets in. "It's the same story every monsoon," laments Ranjit Das, a local shop owner. "We hear about new projects, see the roads dug up, and yet when the rains come, nothing changes. If anything, it seems to get worse." His shop, situated in a low-lying area, is one of many that faces the brunt of the city's inefficacious drainage system. The water levels rise quickly, inundating streets and creeping into homes and businesses.
Residents recount how the incessant construction and reconstruction works have magnified the city's vulnerability to flooding. "These projects are supposed to help, but they end up making things more chaotic," says Jayashree Goswami, a working professional. "Piles of debris, half-finished drains, and blocked roads are a common sight. When the rain starts, the incomplete work means water has nowhere to go but into our streets and homes."
Public frustration has reached a boiling point, and social media platforms are abuzz with outpourings of indignation. "Why do we pay taxes if the government can't even handle something as basic as drainage?" asks Subrata, a college student. "Every year, we are told that things will get better, but every year it’s the same nightmare."
The lack of concrete progress despite considerable investment has led to widespread distrust in the authorities. Many believe that the projects are more about political posturing than genuine problem-solving. "We see the politicians come here for photo-ops when the work starts, but where are they when we are knee-deep in water?" questions Aruna, a mother of two who has to navigate the flooded streets daily to get her children to school.
While speaking to GPlus, a senior Public Works Department (PWD) official said, "We have been working with the drainage system throughout the city. The work has been discontinued in certain parts due to other developmental projects. Apart from desiltation, we are also trying to broaden the water passage. Hope it works out."
Meanwhile, Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) has deployed super suckers to clear the choked drains. However, little positive outcome has been noticed yet.
The lack of coordination between departments such as PWD, GMC, etc is another setback that amplifies the burden on the public.
The city's economic activities take a severe hit during these periods. Markets shut down, transport becomes a herculean task, and daily wage workers face days without income. The broader implications for public health, with stagnant water breeding diseases, further intensify the situation.
In this climate of frustration and disillusionment, the citizens of Guwahati yearn for a definitive solution. They hope for a time when the arrival of the monsoon does not spell disaster, and the promises of their leaders translate into effective, lasting change. Until then, they brace themselves for another season of struggle against the relentless rain and the equally unyielding inefficacy of those in power.