Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast India, is a rapidly growing city with an expanding population and increasing urbanisation. While the city offers picturesque landscapes, riverfronts, and green spaces, the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including the simple act of a morning walk, have become significant. Many residents aspire to start their day with a peaceful walk to stay fit, breathe fresh air, and maintain an active routine. However, in reality, morning walks in Guwahati are riddled with difficulties that often discourage walkers from continuing this healthy practice.
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One of the primary issues that morning walkers face in Guwahati is the lack of proper footpaths and dedicated walking spaces. Most roads in the city are narrow and congested, leaving little room for pedestrians. The footpaths, where available, are often encroached upon by street vendors, parked vehicles, or construction materials. This forces walkers to use the main roads, putting them at risk of accidents, especially when vehicles speed through the streets early in the morning. In many areas, footpaths are either broken or non-existent, making walking a challenging and unsafe experience.
Another major concern is air pollution. Guwahati has witnessed a rise in vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, and dust from ongoing construction activities. Even in the early morning hours, the air quality is often poor due to the burning of garbage, emissions from factories, and pollution from overnight transportation. Many morning walkers have reported respiratory discomfort, coughing, and eye irritation due to the pollution levels. The lack of proper monitoring and control of air pollution significantly affects those who step out in the morning for fresh air, only to be met with pollutants that do more harm than good.
The problem of stray animals, particularly dogs, is another significant issue faced by morning walkers in Guwahati. Many areas of the city have a large population of stray dogs, some of which can be aggressive or territorial. Walkers often encounter barking dogs chasing them, creating fear and anxiety. Cases of dog bites have also been reported, making people hesitant to go for a walk in certain localities. While animal welfare is crucial, the authorities need to find a balanced approach to managing stray animals to ensure the safety of pedestrians.
Another challenge that discourages morning walkers is the lack of proper street lighting. Many people prefer to begin their walk before sunrise, but inadequate lighting in several areas of the city poses a safety risk. Dark and deserted roads increase the chances of accidents, theft, or harassment, particularly for women and elderly walkers. While some parks and public spaces have installed lights, they are often not maintained properly, and many areas remain poorly lit. This forces many fitness enthusiasts to abandon their routine due to safety concerns.
One of the growing threats that morning walkers face in Guwahati is chain and mobile snatching. Incidents of miscreants on motorcycles or scooters snatching valuables from unsuspecting walkers have been reported across several areas, including busy localities like Chandmari, Zoo Road, Bharalumukh, Kumarpara and Maligaon. Elderly individuals and women have been the primary targets of these snatchers, who take advantage of low foot traffic during early morning hours. Victims often suffer not just financial loss but also injuries from falls while resisting the snatchers. Despite repeated complaints, the lack of consistent patrolling and surveillance in many areas allows such crimes to persist. The fear of snatching incidents has forced many walkers to either leave their valuables at home or abandon their morning walk routine altogether.
The issue of cleanliness also plays a crucial role in discouraging morning walkers. Several areas in Guwahati suffer from poor waste management, leading to heaps of garbage lying unattended on roadsides and footpaths. The foul smell, presence of insects, and risk of stepping on waste materials make walking an unpleasant experience. Many walkers complain that garbage bins are either missing or overflowing, and cleaning is not done regularly. The problem worsens during the rainy season when the roads become muddy and slippery due to clogged drains and stagnant water, making walking nearly impossible.
Parks and open spaces that should ideally serve as safe zones for morning walkers are also inadequate in Guwahati. While places like Nehru Park, Shraddhanjali Kanan, and Dighalipukhuri offer some space for morning exercise, they are not sufficient to cater to the growing population. Many of these parks remain overcrowded, limiting the experience of peaceful walks. Moreover, the maintenance of parks is often neglected, with broken walking paths, untrimmed grass, and poor sanitation facilities discouraging regular visitors.
Apart from infrastructure-related issues, there is also a social aspect that affects morning walkers in Guwahati. Eve-teasing, harassment, and inappropriate behavior by miscreants have been reported, particularly in secluded areas. Women walkers often feel unsafe due to a lack of security and surveillance, which restricts their choice of locations for morning exercise. The absence of police patrolling in the early hours further adds to these safety concerns.
Noise pollution is another factor that disrupts the tranquility of morning walks. Early morning is expected to be a time of calmness, but in Guwahati, loud vehicle horns, construction noises, and the clatter of early-morning business activities create an unpleasant atmosphere. Many walkers who seek a peaceful start to their day are left irritated by the surrounding chaos.
Additionally, the weather conditions in Guwahati can sometimes be a challenge for morning walkers. The city experiences high humidity for a significant part of the year, making outdoor physical activities uncomfortable. During the monsoon season, waterlogging and potholes become additional hazards, restricting movement and making walking an unsafe activity. The winter months, though relatively better, bring dense fog in some areas, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents.
The increasing number of vehicles on the roads has also led to higher risks for morning walkers. Unlike in many metropolitan cities where pedestrian-friendly zones exist, Guwahati lacks such dedicated areas, making it difficult for people to walk freely. Even during early hours, some roads witness reckless driving, and cases of hit-and-run accidents have been reported. The absence of traffic regulations in the morning further worsens the situation for pedestrians.
Despite these challenges, the importance of a morning walk cannot be ignored, as it contributes significantly to physical and mental well-being. Therefore, solutions must be implemented to ensure a safe and encouraging environment for morning walkers in Guwahati. The city authorities should focus on developing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, ensuring the maintenance of footpaths, parks, and public spaces. Waste management systems need improvement to maintain cleanliness, and measures should be taken to control air pollution.
Security should also be a priority, with better street lighting, police patrolling, and strict action against those who disrupt public safety. Special attention should be given to preventing mobile and chain snatching by deploying more security personnel, increasing CCTV surveillance, and taking strict legal action against offenders. Public awareness campaigns can also educate citizens about safety measures while walking early in the morning.
While Guwahati has made progress in various aspects of urban development, it still has a long way to go in ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for morning walkers. If the authorities, citizens, and concerned organisations work together, morning walks can once again become an enjoyable and healthy routine for the people of Guwahati.
(The author is a science journalist, sustainability advocate, former director of Assam Seed & Organic Certification Agency, and Assam’s Ex-Joint Director of Agriculture. All views and opinions expressed are author’s own)
