Guwahati's residents deserve transparency, efficiency in city's infrastructure management.
The Public Works Department (PWD) in Guwahati has once again proven its inability to effectively utilise taxpayers' money. Recently, rumble strips were installed at the ABC junction, purportedly to manage traffic flow between Ganeshguri and Ulubari. However, in a turn of events, the same rumble strips were removed shortly after the road restoration work was completed ahead of the festive season, raising serious concerns about the department’s competence and decision-making ability.
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While the installation of the strips seemed to have been made with good intentions, aiming to reduce speeding and prevent traffic congestion, their sudden removal after the restoration has left many wondering whether the department is truly capable of planning and executing long-term solutions for Guwahati’s traffic woes. Such half-hearted measures not only waste public resources, but also inconvenience commuters, creating more chaos than relief.
The illogical removal of the rumble strips has sparked widespread outrage among residents, who are questioning why the PWD fails to conduct proper assessments before implementing changes. "Why was the installation necessary if it had to be removed so soon? Are they not capable of making sustainable decisions?" asked a visibly frustrated commuter near ABC junction. This sentiment is echoed across the city, with residents accusing the department of haphazard planning and poor execution.
The same frustration can be seen in other areas of the city. Over the past few days, several speed breakers across Guwahati have undergone unnecessary reshaping. A layer of bitumen was added to reduce the impact of these speed breakers, but instead of providing a smooth ride, they have made the roads more treacherous for drivers. In some areas, the new speed breakers are so poorly constructed that vehicles scrape their undersides, causing damage and increasing the risk of accidents. These so-called "improvements" are not only a nuisance but an outright danger to the public.
Moreover, the quality of work on roads where concrete cement (CC) blocks have been laid leaves much to be desired. In several areas, the blocks have been unevenly placed, leading to an uncomfortable driving experience or pedestrians tripping. Complaints have surfaced about the blocks sinking or breaking apart within weeks of installation, exposing the shoddy workmanship of the PWD.
Sadly, this is not the first time PWD has been caught in such a mess. A recent media report revealed how restoration work on the GS Road flyover was abruptly halted, causing massive traffic congestion during peak hours. The department had promised the public that the repairs would be completed before the festive season, but the work was stalled halfway, leaving drivers to navigate through poorly marked lanes and incomplete patches. The chaos led to a surge in accidents and frustration among commuters, who felt they had been duped by the PWD’s false promises.
The same report also highlighted an issue in the Maligaon area, where a road-widening project was abandoned mid-way. The PWD had demolished sections of buildings and cleared land, but the actual widening of the road never took place. As a result, the area remains a bottleneck, with heavy vehicles often causing blockages. The public is left to wonder: Why does the PWD consistently bite off more than it can chew?
When asked about the ABC junction rumble strips debacle, a PWD official told GPlus: “The strips were laid in order to prevent congestion and for the safety of the public. But, that led to disorganised traffic near the flyover. As restoration works were ongoing, those needed to be removed. We will see what to do about it.” This vague response only adds to the growing dissatisfaction among the citizens. It seems as though the PWD itself is unsure of its own plans, leaving the public to pay the price for their indecision and lack of foresight.
What’s worse is the department’s track record of shifting blame. In the case of road restoration delays in Dispur, PWD officials blamed utility companies like the Guwahati Jal Board and the Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited for causing damage to freshly laid roads during pipe repairs. However, the public remains unconvinced, pointing to the PWD’s repeated failures to coordinate with other agencies and complete projects in a timely, efficient manner.
It is high time the PWD is held accountable for its misuse of taxpayer money and its failure to deliver basic infrastructure services to the people of Guwahati. From ill-planned speed breakers to unfinished roadwork and poorly constructed concrete blocks, the department’s incompetence is on full display. Citizens deserve better, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that public funds are used wisely and for the benefit of the people, not squandered on ill-conceived projects that provide no lasting value.
The PWD’s approach to public infrastructure can best be described as scribbling last-minute answers before the paper is snatched away — unorganised, rushed, and ultimately ineffective. If the department cannot clean up its act, it may be time for a serious overhaul of its leadership and operations. Guwahati's taxpayers deserve nothing less than transparency, efficiency, and, above all, accountability from those tasked with managing their city's infrastructure.