2024 was supposed to be a transformative year for Guwahati, with GMDA promising solutions to some of the city’s most pressing problems
In 2024, the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) envisioned a series of projects to address long-standing urban issues in the city. However, despite the high expectations, several of these projects remain incomplete, leaving residents questioning the pace of development. While some minor initiatives were successfully executed, major ventures such as the Drainage Master Plan, the Silsako Water Rejuvenation Project, and the construction of pumping stations have either stalled or are progressing at a snail’s pace.
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As Guwahati grows, the city’s infrastructure challenges—frequent flooding, inadequate drainage, and environmental degradation—demand immediate attention. Yet, a combination of bureaucratic delays, lack of funding, and slow decision-making has hindered GMDA’s plans, raising concerns about the authority’s ability to deliver on its promises.
Drainage Master Plan: Stuck in the Approval Process
In early 2024, GMDA announced its ambitious Drainage Master Plan, aimed at addressing Guwahati’s chronic flooding problem. Flash floods caused by poor drainage systems disrupt lives and damage property every monsoon. The Master Plan promised a scientific approach to revamp the city’s drainage infrastructure.
“We will conduct a scientific study for the drainage system in Guwahati and deliver a comprehensive master plan to the government within nine months,” a senior GMDA official told GPlus earlier this year. The plan included mapping flood-prone zones, designing new drainage channels, and proposing actionable solutions.
However, the situation today paints a different picture. A GMDA official recently admitted, “We are yet to get approval from the state government.” Despite the initial urgency, the project has made no significant progress, leaving residents to brace for another year of waterlogging and floods.
Silsako Water Rejuvenation Project: Progress Hampered by Funding Issues
The Silsako Water Rejuvenation Project, part of GMDA’s larger environmental conservation initiative, was designed to enhance Guwahati’s flood management system and restore its wetlands. The project aimed to increase Silsako’s retention capacity and channel water efficiently to prevent flooding.
“In 2024, we began preliminary work, including constructing a 1.6-kilometre underground den to channel water from the Bahini River to Silsako and then to the Brahmaputra,” a GMDA official had earlier stated. Additionally, fencing and anti-encroachment drives were carried out to protect the catchment area.
However, speaking to GPlus recently, a senior official revealed that the project is now stalled due to funding issues. “The fund released by the state government has been used up. The final Detailed Project Report (DPR) is yet to get approval from the ministry, and until additional funds are released, the work cannot proceed,” the official explained.
Talking to GPlus, a renowned environmentalist seeking anonymity said, "This delay not only affects flood management but also undermines efforts to preserve the ecological significance of Silsako, which serves as a habitat for migratory birds and native wildlife."
Pumping Stations: Partial Progress Amid Bigger Challenges
Another key component of GMDA’s flood management strategy was the construction of pumping stations across the city. Guwahati’s bowl-shaped topography exacerbates waterlogging, as rainwater accumulates in low-lying areas. Pumping stations were proposed to redirect excess water during heavy rains.
“Pumping stations are essential for floodwater management. They regulate water levels by pumping out excess rainwater from flood-prone zones,” a GMDA official explained earlier this year.
Currently, two pumping stations—in Bonda and Silsako—are operational. However, these are insufficient to tackle the city’s extensive waterlogging issues. GMDA had planned to construct additional stations but has not made significant progress. The lack of clarity on funding and timelines adds to the uncertainty surrounding this initiative.
Fancy Bazar Parking Lot Revamp Awaits Government Approval
After years of complaints from residents and commuters about the poor state of the Fancy Bazaar parking lot, GMDA has finally announced plans to revamp the facility. Frequent issues like waterlogging, muddy conditions, and mismanagement have plagued the parking area, especially during the rainy season, causing frustration for visitors to one of Guwahati’s busiest commercial hubs.
Talking to GPlus, a senior GMDA official stated that the revamped lot would address these problems and is expected to generate Rs 50 lakh annually once fully operational. However, the project is awaiting final government approval before work can begin.
The GMDA’s plans are not standalone initiatives but are backed by legislative frameworks such as the Guwahati Water Bodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act of 2008, revised in 2010. This Act identifies wetlands like Deepor, Silsako, and Borsola-Sorusola as critical for flood prevention and biodiversity conservation.
Despite this legislative support, the execution of conservation projects has been slow. Silsako, in particular, remains a focal point for both flood management and environmental restoration. However, delays in securing funds and approvals have hampered progress, leaving these wetlands vulnerable to encroachment and ecological degradation.
2024 was supposed to be a transformative year for Guwahati, with GMDA promising solutions to some of the city’s most pressing problems. However, the reality has been far from expectations. While minor initiatives have been completed, major projects remain stuck in limbo, highlighting the gap between planning and execution.
The questions remain: Are promises meant to be broken, or will GMDA finally take action to fulfill its commitments? Will the much-needed Drainage Master Plan see the light of day? Can the Silsako Water Rejuvenation Project and pumping stations bring relief to a city struggling with floods? Or will 2024’s unfinished plans become another chapter in the story of unfulfilled promises? The coming months will determine if GMDA can turn words into action or if these initiatives remain stuck in bureaucratic limbo.