As 2024 draws to a close, it offers an opportunity to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and transformations that Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India, has witnessed over the past year. This vibrant city, steeped in cultural heritage yet rapidly urbanising, stands at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. The year 2024 marked notable strides in infrastructure development, environmental conservation, cultural enrichment, and community engagement. However, it also brought to light pressing challenges that need resolution for a sustainable future.
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The Year Gone by: Guwahati in 2024
1. Infrastructure and Urban Development
The year saw continued efforts to modernise Guwahati’s infrastructure. Projects under the Smart Cities Mission advanced significantly, including improvements in public transportation, roads, and digital connectivity. The Guwahati Ring Road Project, though in its nascent stages, gained momentum, promising to alleviate the city’s notorious traffic congestion in the coming years.
In addition, the completion of new flyovers and the expansion of highways connecting Guwahati to nearby towns will improve accessibility. Yet, the rapid urban sprawl highlighted the need for better urban planning to prevent unregulated construction and ensure equitable access to resources.
2. Environmental Challenges and Initiatives
Guwahati’s unique location by the Brahmaputra River has always been a source of pride and vulnerability. The city faced floods once again in 2024, reminding its citizens of the urgent need for better flood management systems. Initiatives like the rejuvenation of Deepor Beel, a Ramsar site, and the promotion of urban green spaces were steps in the right direction. However, these efforts must be scaled up to combat pollution, deforestation, and the urban heat island effect.
3. Cultural and Social Milestones
The year also underscored Guwahati’s cultural richness. Events like the Rongali Bihu celebrations, the Brahmaputra Literary Festival, and the Northeast Festival attracted national and international attention. These platforms not only showcased Assamese traditions but also encouraged dialogue on pressing regional issues, such as identity, development, and sustainability.
On the social front, Guwahati continued to emerge as an educational hub, with institutions like IIT Guwahati and Gauhati University driving innovation and research. Yet, challenges like unemployment and access to quality education for all persisted, emphasising the need for inclusive growth.
4. Technological and Economic Growth
Technology played a pivotal role in the city’s transformation in 2024. The rise of start-ups, especially in sectors like IT, agritech, and tourism, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of Guwahati’s youth. Additionally, initiatives to digitise governance and improve service delivery strengthened the city’s economic framework.
Nevertheless, Guwahati faced hurdles, such as inadequate investment in industries and a lack of robust infrastructure to support large-scale manufacturing. The city’s potential as a trade and logistics hub for Southeast Asia, given its strategic location, remained underutilised.
Hopes for Guwahati in 2025
As Guwahati steps into 2025, there are immense opportunities to address its challenges and realise its aspirations. The vision for the city should be rooted in sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.
1. A Green and Resilient City
The priority for 2025 should be enhancing Guwahati’s resilience to environmental challenges. Strengthening flood management systems, reviving wetlands, and implementing sustainable urban planning must be at the forefront. Projects like eco-restoration of the Brahmaputra’s banks and the creation of urban forests could act as models for other cities.
The city can also adopt renewable energy solutions, such as solar power installations and electric mobility, to reduce its carbon footprint. Waste management reforms, focusing on segregation at source and recycling, are essential to tackle mounting waste-related issues.
2. Inclusive Urban Development
A more inclusive approach to urban development is essential. Affordable housing, access to basic amenities, and equitable distribution of resources should form the bedrock of Guwahati’s growth. Policies encouraging mixed-use development and walkable neighborhoods can foster community interaction while reducing dependency on private vehicles.
The Guwahati Metro Development Project holds promise but needs to be complemented by improvements in last-mile connectivity through buses, e-rickshaws, and cycling infrastructure.
3. Preserving Cultural Heritage
Guwahati must strike a balance between modernisation and cultural preservation. Protecting heritage sites like Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, and Navagraha Temple from urban encroachments should be prioritised. Digital tools can help document and promote the city’s rich history, making it more accessible to the younger generation and global audiences.
Festivals and cultural events can also be leveraged to promote tourism and foster cultural pride. Collaborations with artists, historians, and local communities can ensure that traditional arts, crafts, and folklore remain vibrant.
4. Economic and Educational Empowerment
The city’s economic aspirations should align with its strengths. Developing Guwahati as a hub for tourism, trade, and education can create opportunities for sustainable growth. Investments in infrastructure like the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport and river transport systems will boost connectivity and trade.
Strengthening partnerships between industries and educational institutions can address the skill gap and foster innovation. Guwahati should also focus on empowering women and marginalised communities by promoting entrepreneurship and offering skill development programs.
5. Technology-Driven Governance
Smart governance can revolutionise service delivery in Guwahati. Expanding e-governance platforms, integrating AI and IoT solutions, and ensuring citizen participation in decision-making will make the city more efficient and transparent.
In the healthcare sector, telemedicine and mobile health clinics can bridge gaps in accessibility, especially in underserved areas. Similarly, digital platforms can enhance education delivery, making quality resources available to students across the socio-economic spectrum.
6. A Vision for the Youth
The youth of Guwahati must remain at the heart of its vision for 2025. Providing platforms for innovation, creativity, and leadership will harness their potential to drive the city forward. Initiatives like start-up incubators, cultural exchanges, and sports academies can shape a generation ready to take on global challenges.
As Guwahati embarks on the journey of 2025, it carries the hopes and dreams of its people—dreams of a city that harmonises development with nature, preserves its cultural essence, and offers opportunities for all. While the challenges are many, the spirit of Guwahati’s citizens, coupled with strategic planning and execution, can transform the city into a model for sustainable urban living.
In this delicate dance between the past and the future, Guwahati must remember its roots while reaching for the stars. The year 2025 has the potential to be a landmark year for the city, setting it on a trajectory of growth that is inclusive, innovative, and resilient. Let the story of Guwahati be one of hope, determination, and progress—a story that inspires not just the Northeast but the entire nation.
(The writer was a member of the IAS and served the Government of Assam in various capacities from 1980 to 2016. He has also authored the books- The Heart Left Behind, Guwahati-Tale of the City, Whiff of Change and The Boatmen of the River (translation). All views and opinions expressed are author's own)