Residents fear that without significant changes in governance and planning, Guwahati will continue to sink
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Praised as a smart city, Guwahati has been marred by recurring waterlogging issues for years, leaving the city's infrastructure in tatters.
One of the latest allegations adding to this growing list of grievances is the role of the MLA hostel drainage system in intensifying the waterlogging situation in Dispur, particularly towards the Wireless locality. This issue, which has escalated public outrage, focuses on drainage alterations within the MLA hostel's premises, which have allegedly disrupted the water flow from Wireless to Ganeshguri, ultimately preventing it from reaching its natural outlet, the Bahini river.
Local residents and concerned citizens have expressed their anger over this mismanagement, pointing fingers at the authorities for allowing such modifications to occur unchecked. According to them, the elevation of the drain inside the MLA hostel premises has become a significant hindrance to the smooth flow of water, causing the Wireless area to flood even after moderate rainfall.
Speaking to GPlus, an official from the Public Works Department (PWD), on the condition of anonymity, confirmed this oversight. "Earlier, waterlogging was an issue inside the premises. So, to rectify that, the infrastructure was elevated, and as a result, the flow was disrupted."
Public frustration has been building over the years, with many pointing out the recurring nature of such blunders. "It's outrageous that authorities prioritise solving problems for a few over the well-being of an entire neighbourhood. We, the taxpayers, suffer while they sit comfortably in their elevated quarters," an irate resident of Wireless remarked, choosing to remain anonymous for fear of reprisal.
Another local added, "Every monsoon, it’s the same story. We wake up to submerged roads and houses, while the officials pass the buck. They claim to fix things, but they only make it worse."
A third resident said, "How can such a critical alteration go unchecked? How did the responsible departments not foresee the impact this elevation would have on the rest of the drainage system? It’s pure negligence."
In response to mounting criticism, GPlus reached out to the Capital Construction Division of Dispur, the department responsible for the drainage restoration. An official from the department seemed unaware of the issue, stating, "We were not aware of any such flaws. The drains were restored a long time back. We will look into this matter."
This lack of awareness on the part of the department raises questions about the effectiveness of inspections, planning, and coordination between various governmental bodies, particularly in a city as prone to waterlogging as Guwahati.
In 2020, a report surfaced highlighting how Guwahati’s drainage systems were clogged with plastic waste and debris, preventing rainwater from flowing through. The lack of regular maintenance coupled with a primitive drainage design has often been blamed for the city’s persistent water woes.
Waterlogging is not a new phenomenon for Guwahati, and the city's authorities have had ample opportunity to address drainage problems, yet year after year, the same mistakes are repeated.
The Bahini river, which once served as a natural outlet for excess rainwater, is now heavily encroached upon and polluted, rendering it ineffective in handling water flow. Mismanagement of this vital water body has directly contributed to Guwahati’s growing waterlogging problem, and yet the focus remain
ns on temporary, piecemeal solutions rather than long-term planning. The elevated drainage system within the MLA hostel is just the latest example of this ongoing trend of poor urban planning.
Another significant consequence of the water logging crisis is the crippling effect it has on Guwahati's already congested traffic. In a recent incident, after a heavy downpour, the city came to a complete standstill for hours, leaving commuters stranded and essential services disrupted. Major roads, including those in Dispur and Wireless, were submerged, causing gridlock across the city. Emergency vehicles, ambulances, and fire trucks were unable to navigate through the flooded streets, magnifying the crisis. The government, caught off guard and left helpless, could offer little more than assurances, while residents endured hours of chaos, reflecting the administration's lack of preparedness in handling such recurrent disasters.
With the Capital Construction Division promising to "look into the matter," there is little hope for immediate redress. Many residents fear that without significant changes in governance and planning, Guwahati will continue to sink, both literally and metaphorically, under the weight of its infrastructure failings.
In a city that is growing rapidly, such basic infrastructural flaws cannot be ignored. The consequences of continued neglect are already evident in the streets and homes of Dispur and Wireless. What remains to be seen is whether the authorities will finally wake up to the city's cries for help, or if Guwahati will continue to drown in its own administrative incompetence.
