GUWAHATI: The government aims to put an end to floods in Guwahati by developing Silsako Beel. The beel, which was encroached upon by numerous houses, hotels, and educational institutes, was meant to be a key factor in the city's flood management system. However, despite efforts to restore it and connect it to various drainage systems to flush out the excess water from the city, the beel has not fulfilled its intended purpose. Areas like Rukminigaon, Sijubari, and others still experience severe waterlogging even after light rain.
Click here to join our WhatsApp channel.
The primary issue lies in the inadequate drainage systems connected to Silsako Beel. During the recent flood, many parts of Guwahati, including densely populated areas like Downtown and Sarumotoria, were severely affected. The district administration observed that storm water has caused severe waterlogging, leading to immense inconvenience and potential public health issues.
A significant problem is the obstruction of several cross culverts along the OIL pipeline from Super Market to Sarumotoria. These culverts are meant to carry storm water from surrounding areas into the OIL pipeline and eventually discharge it into Silsako Beel. However, earth filling and the construction of a boundary wall at the discharge point have blocked this flow, exacerbating the flooding.
In June, the Kamrup Metro District Administration directed the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) to address this issue urgently. The directive called for creating a proper drainage channel with a sump and pumping facility to ensure efficient drainage into Silsako Beel. This order, issued under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, emphasises the need for immediate action to prevent further storm water stagnation.
ALSO READ: Guwahati Endlessly Awaits Completion Of Water Supply Project
The order stated, since many areas struggled with urban flood, "Whereas, from the recent urban flood that has inundated many areas of Guwahati city, it has been observed that, the storm water has been causing severe water logging in many densely populated areas like Downtown, Sarumotoria, etc. causing immense inconvenience and hardship to the residents of these areas and has potential to cause public health issues.”
“Whereas, it has also been observed that, there are several cross culverts along the OIL pipeline from Super Market to Sarumotoria through which the heavy load of stormwater from the surrounding area enters into the OIL pipeline and finally discharge to Silsako beel but is presently obstructed due to earth filling and construction of boundary wall towards the end point of discharge."
It stated, "Therefore, GMDA is hereby directed to create/cut a proper drainage channel passing through any class of land including Dag No. 2198, 2516, 2520, 2519 , 2507, 2509 and 2593 of village Hengrabari with proper sump and pumping facility so that the water can be drained into Silsako Beel. The order shall come into immediate effect and the execution of the same may be done expeditiously to prevent stormwater stagnating in the aforementioned areas of Guwahati City.
“This direction is issued in greater public interest and as per the relevant provisions as laid down in Sec 30(2) and Sec 50 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005."
For Rukminigaon, Downtown, and Dwarka Nagar areas, reconstruction of the drain in Rukminigaon is complete. The pump at G.S. Road near Rukminigaon Bridge is ready for installation, with a temporary pump in place until then. The construction of the pump house at Silsako Beel and the enhancement of drainage capacity of the Bahini diversion from PIBCO to Silsako by GMDA are ongoing.
Similarly, the Mission Flood-Free (MFF) initiative has made efforts in Sarumotaria, Hatigaon, Wireless, and Chandmari areas. A senior MFF official told GPlus, “Since MFF started, the maximum work happened in 2024. But when it floods after rain in some places, it seems like the entire exercise was a failure.” He noted that despite completing many projects, waterlogging persists indicating a need for new strategies and learning.
The MFF committee insists that no stone was left unturned to eliminate urban floods in Guwahati. However, they acknowledge the drainage system needs further scrutiny. The official emphasised the lack of a proper drainage system in the city. The construction of footpaths and drains has been mostly unplanned. An underground drainage and sewerage system should ideally be in the middle of the road, but the construction of flyovers has complicated this.
Earlier talking to GPlus, a GMDA source mentioned that a master drainage plan is being developed, and a new drainage system will be constructed in Guwahati. For now, however, achieving a flood-free Guwahati through the MFF seems unlikely.
Talking to GPlus, a senior GMDA official said, "We are working thoroughly on this. We hope by next year, there is no urban flood in Guwahati." He added, "This time it is under control because of Silsako. It is not waterlogging, staying on for 10 hours, 12 hours."
The official also clarified that Sarumotoria's flooding is a separate issue unrelated to Silsako. Regarding Rukminigaon's flooding, he mentioned ongoing efforts to address the problem, citing specific areas of concern such as near the Skoda showroom and Health City hospital. "All these three areas come from the same direction and come together in a channel and meet at the Beltola point," he explained.
Silsako Beel falls under the jurisdiction of the 2008 Guwahati Waterbodies (Preservation and Conservation) Act. This legislation prohibits activities like garbage dumping, earth-filling, and construction in the designated areas of the water body. Violations are considered cognisable offenses under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, and can result in imprisonment or fines.
Historically, the land around Silsako Beel was used by tribal farmers, predominantly from the Karbi community, for rice cultivation. Over the years, settlements of Assamese, Bengali, and other tribal communities, including Mising, Bodo, Rabha, Dimasa, and Deori, emerged in the area. For nearly three decades, successive governments allocated land around Silsako for various infrastructure projects, including road development. Before the enactment of the 2008 Waterbodies Act, Silsako Beel served as Guwahati's primary garbage dumping site.
The evictions carried out under the 2008 Waterbodies Act aim to make Guwahati flood-free. The Act empowers the GMDA to protect water bodies like Sarusala Beel, Silsako Beel, Borsola Beel, and Deepor Beel from encroachment and damage. The goal is to develop these areas into natural reservoirs and eco-tourism centers, contributing to the city's environmental sustainability and flood management.