Guwahati’s Ward Number 15, home to approximately 28,000 residents, is widely known for its bustling street food scene. However, beneath its culinary charm lies a series of persistent civic issues. Despite having a voter base of nearly 15,000, the ward continues to battle with broken roads, an increasing number of unregulated street vendors, haphazardly parked vehicles, and damaged drains.
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A resident from the Kumarpara area, while speaking to GPlus, shared his concerns: “I live near the Kumar Nursing Home. The stretch of road from Shiv Mandir to the Nursing Home is in terrible condition. Though the road was repaired during Durga Puja last year, the paver blocks began disintegrating within just two months. Last week, an e-rickshaw nearly overturned, and a month ago, a scooter skidded on the same patch, leading to minor injuries.”
Interestingly, the area near the Kumar Nursing Home falls under Ward 14. Saurabh Jhunjhunwala, the councillor of Ward 15, addressed this issue, saying, “I’ve spoken with Mrs. Manju Borah, the Ward 14 councillor. Together, we approached the GMC and PWD to resolve the problem, and I’m happy to report that the matter is now being looked into.” He added, “We have sanctioned ₹1 crore in collaboration with the government to reconstruct broken roads in the area. Half of the roads are already repaired, and the remaining work will be completed soon.”
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Residents also pointed out another major problem – the broken drainage culvert at Kumarpara Panchali. “A month ago, the culvert collapsed again, causing a massive traffic jam. This isn’t the first time. Every time a heavy vehicle passes, it breaks. If this continues, it may cause a serious accident,” said local resident Suryansh Pareek. He expressed hope that a permanent concrete culvert would be built soon.
Jhunjhunwala acknowledged that Ward 15 has its share of problems. “I’m doing my best to address them with the help of authorities concerned. But yes, challenges remain. Last week, I received a complaint about a broken drain near Shubham Sweets. I immediately reported it. However, it’s not easy to solve all problems at once. Patience is essential,” he said.
Another growing concern is the surge in e-rickshaws, which have become the primary cause of traffic congestion in the area. “I live near BMBB Commerce College. Every day, there’s a massive jam at Panchali. There’s also a lack of traffic police presence,” said Manish, a grocery shop owner in Athgaon.
Councillor Jhunjhunwala responded, “There’s no doubt about the traffic congestion at Kumarpara Panchali. The main reasons are the indiscipline among drivers and lack of parking enforcement. Unfortunately, traffic policing is not under our jurisdiction, but I have spoken to the Bharalumukh Police. It’s now up to them to take action.”
The increasing number of food stalls along the roads only worsens the traffic situation, particularly in the evenings. Street food vendor Dillip Kumar, who has been running a chaat stall for ten years, said, “People love coming here to eat. This is how we earn our living. Sometimes crowds lead to jams, but we try our best to avoid any inconvenience.”
When asked about this, Jhunjhunwala acknowledged the situation. “Yes, the number of eateries has gone up rapidly. People from across Guwahati come here for the food. While it’s a source of livelihood for many, I’ve requested all food vendors to cooperate and minimise road encroachments. They’ve been responsive so far.”
Though the ward has not reported any outbreaks of major diseases like dengue, seasonal illnesses are common, especially during monsoons due to waterlogging and flash floods. “The need for a well-maintained drainage system is more pressing than ever,” a local health worker commented. Private healthcare centres cater to emergencies, but the infrastructure needs significant improvement to prevent waterborne diseases.
Despite the ongoing efforts by authorities and some visible progress, Ward 15 still faces major civic challenges. While development projects are underway, a clear and consistent roadmap is needed to ensure long-term solutions. Residents remain sceptical of repeated promises and demand timely action.
Councillor Jhunjhunwala concluded, “Responsibility doesn’t lie only with the authorities. Citizens must cooperate too. Only then can we achieve real development.”