The Public Works Department (PWD) of Guwahati finds itself embroiled in yet another controversy as residents express their frustration over the department's consistent failure to deliver quality road construction projects. Over the years, the PWD's track record has been marred by substandard work, mismanagement of taxpayer funds, and a lack of accountability.
Residents of various neighbourhoods, including Panbazar, Uzan Bazaar, and Dispur, have raised concerns about the quality of road construction undertaken by the PWD. Many residents have compared the finished roads to clothes stitched combing different pieces, highlighting the inconsistent and patchwork nature of the construction.
"The roads here are a disaster waiting to happen," says Raju Sharma, a resident of Panbazaar. "It's like they patch it up with whatever materials they find lying around, and within a few months, we're back to square one with potholes and cracks everywhere."
The dissatisfaction among residents extends beyond just the poor quality of the roads. A major issue that has recently come to light is the discrepancy in road levels compared to the plinth level of residential buildings. In violation of instructions from the Supreme Court, which mandates that road height should not be increased after any restoration process, several roads in Guwahati have been observed to be significantly higher than nearby residential establishments.
"This is a serious safety hazard," says Priya Das, a resident of Uzanbazaar. "During the monsoon season, the water from the elevated roads flows directly into our homes, causing damage to our properties. It's like the PWD doesn't even bother to consider the impact of their construction on the surrounding areas."
The PWD's negligence in thoroughly inspecting the scaling procedure by contractors has been cited as a major contributing factor to the current situation. Despite repeated complaints and protests from residents, little progress has been made in addressing the underlying issues with the road construction projects.
Speaking to GPlus, Ajoy Dutta, Padmashree Awardee, Former Legislature and a prominent social worker explained, "There should be a control on three factors- drain level, road level and plinth level. A huge amount of money has been poured into developmental projects. But, it looks more like a scam. Even the plinth level of my house is lower than the road level. In this way, the authority will force us either to sell the property to the promoters or just leave it."
"This is not just about inconvenience; it's about the misuse of taxpayers' money and the safety of our communities," says Anil Baruah, a concerned citizen. "The PWD needs to be held accountable for their actions and ensure that proper measures are taken to rectify the situation."
A senior PWD official while speaking to GPlus explained, "There are clear instructions on restoring a road. It should be scaled/scrapped and a new layer should be laid down. Mostly machines are used for such construction. And contractors follow the same. If there are certain areas facing such problems, the exact location should be pointed out in order to figure out a solution."
This recent outcry is not the first time the PWD has come under fire for its poor workmanship. Earlier examples of substandard construction include the infamous Sixmile flyover where cracks developed within months of its inauguration, raising questions about the quality of materials used and the competency of the contractors hired by the PWD.
"The Sixmile flyover fiasco was a wake-up call, but it seems like the PWD hasn't learned from its mistakes," says Deepak Gogoi, a resident of Dispur. "We need concrete action from the authorities to address these issues and ensure that such incidents are not repeated in the future."
Despite assurances from PWD officials to address the concerns raised by residents, there is scepticism about the department's ability to deliver on its promises.
"We've heard the same excuses and promises time and time again," says Maya Devi, a resident of Panbazar. "But until we see real action and tangible improvements in the quality of road construction, we will continue to hold the PWD accountable for its failures," she further added.
As residents continue to voice their grievances and demand accountability from the authorities, the spotlight remains firmly on the PWD, urging them to prioritise quality, safety, and transparency in their construction projects for the betterment of the city and its residents.
