Ward Number 14
Ward Councillor: Manju Borah
Voters: Approx. 14,000
Population: Approx. 28,000
Focus Area: Parts of Shantipur, Kumarpara, and the Bhutnath area
As residents grow tired of promises and demand results, pressure on the administration continues to mount. Until then, the people of Ward 14 can only hope for faster resolutions and lasting change.
Guwahati’s Ward Number 14, home to approximately 28,000 residents, has been in the headlines for its ongoing road development project. Despite having a voter base of around 14,000, the ward continues to grapple with a host of issues—ranging from construction debris left on the roads, street vendors encroaching upon public spaces, to broken iron nets along drains.
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“We have spoken with the GMC and PWD to address the concerns raised by the public, and thankfully, they are looking into it,” said Councillor Manju Borah in an interaction with GPlus. “We have also sanctioned Rs. 1 crore, in collaboration with the government, for repairing broken roads across the area. Half of them have already been repaired, and the rest will be completed soon,” she added.
A resident from the Shantipur area shared their frustration, saying, “I stay near railway gate number 9. Every Sunday, vendors set up a market here, blocking the road and restricting vehicular movement.”
Street vendors, residents say, dominate public spaces as though they own them. The ongoing construction of the Bharalumukh road overbridge has only worsened the situation. Roads have become narrower, and the remaining space is occupied by vendors. Addressing the severity of the issue, Councillor Borah stated, “We are planning to relocate the market to the Sonaram Field area. A lot of people have raised complaints. I’ve forwarded a letter to the GMC, and they are currently reviewing the matter. If Sonaram School is not feasible, we’ll consider another location.”
Another serious concern in the area is the broken iron nets along the Bharalu on JP Agarwal Road. “We have escalated the issue to the GMC, but they claim it falls under the PWD. I’ve drafted a letter to them and hope they will act on it soon,” Borah said.
“The broken nets have become dumping grounds for garbage. Many people throw household waste directly into the Bharalu. I don’t know why, but it’s definitely not right,” said Manish Agarwal, a resident of JP Agarwal Road.
“Street lights were installed a few months ago, but they rarely work. We’ve informed our councillor, and we hope a permanent solution will come soon,” said Bhargob Kalita, another local resident.
Councillor Borah acknowledges that her ward has several problems, and says she’s doing her best to address them with the help of the authorities. Still, gaps remain. “People come to me with a lot of issues. It’s not easy to solve everything, but I am trying. Patience is a must,” she remarked.
Adding to the list of woes is the growing monkey menace. “Monkeys cause significant damage to property. Last week, a troop of monkeys tore off a portion of my roof while we were away visiting relatives. They even destroyed flower pots on the terrace,” said Kamala Murarka, a resident.
Commenting on the issue, Councillor Borah said, “The monkey population has increased rapidly, but there’s little we can do. Humans have encroached on their natural habitat. I urge everyone not to provoke them.”
Though Ward 14 has not witnessed outbreaks of diseases like dengue, seasonal illnesses remain a recurring issue. A few private healthcare centres in the vicinity cater to emergencies. During the monsoon, waterborne diseases spike due to flash floods, though the situation typically improves within days. However, it underscores the urgent need for a better drainage system.
Despite the authorities' efforts, Ward No. 14 continues to battle severe civic issues. While development work is in progress, a clear roadmap is missing. As residents grow tired of promises and demand results, pressure on the administration continues to mount. Until then, the people of Ward 14 can only hope for faster resolutions and lasting change.