In the midst of the "flood jihad" controversy sparked by the Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, targeting a private university in Meghalaya, a critical stretch of National Highway 27 (NH-27) that connects the northeastern states has been seemingly abandoned.
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Jorabat, often referred to as the gateway to the North East, has a long history of battling recurrent flash floods, a situation that has persisted for over 15 years. This ongoing issue has led to significant frustration among local residents, who are now renewing their calls for sustainable, long-term solutions.
Numerous allegations have been levelled against the condition of the stretch of NH-27 that passes through Jorabat, with concerns ranging from unregulated earth-cutting activities in both Assam and Meghalaya to infrastructural failures. Residents and commuters alike have voiced their discontent, highlighting the dire consequences if immediate action is not taken.
Treen Thakuria, a local resident, expressed his frustration in an interview with GPlus. "Instead of engaging in a blame game, the chief ministers of Assam and Meghalaya should come together to discuss this issue and work towards a solution. This is a crucial route, one of the main gateways to the North East. If they do not reach a mutual, progressive decision, this problem will continue to persist."
Sarma has blamed the flood in Guwahati on the university saying hills and trees were cut down for its construction and Assam’s capital was now paying for it.
Thakuria further criticised the politicisation of the issue, stating, "Mockery based on religion and petty politics has no relevance here. The infrastructure, which utilised a huge sum of public money, has clearly failed. The depth of the culvert is around 16 feet, but even a slight shower fills it with silt from the hills. On top of that, waste materials from the drains also obstruct the flow. As a result, the area gets inundated."
Another resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added, "The Assam CM only experienced a brief inconvenience due to the congestion here, but he quickly shifted the blame onto the university in Meghalaya. Why is the authority not being held accountable for such a blunder? This is a national highway, after all. The CM seems least bothered about the people of Jorabat. Every time it rains, we suffer. Our children suffer."
In addition to the flooding, there have been allegations concerning the design and height of the culvert under the Jorabat flyover on NH-27. It is alleged that the height of the culvert was altered from the original plan, resulting in a lower height that has contributed to drainage obstructions and worsened the flooding situation.
A driver of a passenger carrier, who frequently uses this route, commented on the issue: "The water flows towards the Byrnihat River, either from 12 Mile or 13 Mile. But, just beneath the flyover, there is no space at all for the water to pass. The culvert is literally touching the debris in the drain. How will the water pass if there is no space?"
These concerns have been echoed by other residents and commuters, who argue that the current infrastructure is insufficient to handle the volume of water during heavy rains, leading to frequent flooding in the area.
In response to these concerns, a source from the NHAI explained, "The water that flows beneath the flyover leads to the Byrnihat River, but there are areas towards 12 and 13 Mile that narrow down. This is mostly due to encroachment on those banks, and the stream's width has been reduced. These issues must be looked into."
Similarly, residents of Meghalaya have alleged that the banks of the stream have been encroached upon, leading to a narrowing of the channel. This has increased the flooding problem, particularly in areas like Jorabat.
A local business owner from the area, who has witnessed the impact of the flooding first-hand, described the situation near Shankardev Nagar in 13 Mile: "There is a culvert there which doesn't have a proper concrete slab. Instead, five hume pipes have been inserted beneath it. This causes severe blockages, and as a result, Jorabat gets flooded."
The situation has become increasingly dire in recent years, with residents reporting that even moderate rainfall can cause waist-deep flooding in several locations. One resident lamented, "Earlier, the water flowed easily through the stream, which is now more of a drain. The consequences of the recent rain were drastic. There was water up to waist level in several locations."
Another significant factor contributing to the flooding issue is the unchecked hill-cutting activities in both Assam and Meghalaya. Residents have raised concerns that these activities are obstructing natural drainage systems, thereby increasing the severity of the flooding in Jorabat and surrounding areas.
A source from the NHAI acknowledged the issue, stating, "The situation in Jorabat will be kept in mind when the Guwahati Ring Road project is initiated."
However, despite such assurances, the lack of proper planning and the failure to implement effective flood mitigation measures have left the residents of Jorabat feeling abandoned. The recurring floods have not only disrupted daily life but have also caused significant economic losses for local businesses and residents alike.
The ongoing crisis in Jorabat has highlighted the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the flooding issue. While natural factors such as heavy rainfall and the region's topography play a role, the failure of infrastructure and unchecked human activities, such as hill-cutting and encroachment, have magnified the situation.
The situation in Jorabat is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting critical infrastructure and the environment. As a vital gateway to the Northeast, Jorabat's flooding issue cannot be ignored any longer. It is imperative that the governments of Assam and Meghalaya, along with the NHAI, take immediate and decisive action to implement sustainable solutions that will protect the lives and livelihoods of the residents of Jorabat.
The time for blame games and political posturing is over. What is needed now is a united effort to address the root causes of the flooding and to ensure that Jorabat, and the critical highway that runs through it, remains safe and accessible for all. Only then will the residents of Jorabat be able to live without the constant fear of floods, and only then will the Northeast’s gateway truly be open for all.