Residents of Sijubari in the Hatigaon area of Guwahati continue to face the recurring problem of waterlogging on Dargah Road, a vital link to the Lalganesh area. Despite assurances from authorities, no concrete action has been taken to resolve the issue, which has persisted for over three years.
On Wednesday, residents woke up to find Dargah Road inundated with water, reaching levels of up to two feet. During the monsoon season, the water levels are known to rise even higher, causing significant inconvenience to pedestrians. Forced to share footpaths with motorcyclists and e-rickshaw drivers, residents struggle to navigate the waterlogged roads.
“Despite repeated pleas to the authorities, no concrete action has been taken to address this issue,” said Hazmat Alam, a local resident. “We have been promised solutions, but nothing has materialized.”
The executive engineer of the public works department (PWD), Munin Deka, acknowledged the long-standing issue of water accumulation in the area. He explained that part of the reason for the inundation is the construction of a new drain, which has temporarily blocked the flow of water. Deka also highlighted the problem of two drainage channels converging at an upward gradient, causing backflow instead of proper drainage towards the Brahmaputra river.
Deka stated that solutions are being studied and will be proposed to the government after the elections. “We are currently conducting a study to find a permanent solution to the drainage issue,” he said. “Once the study is complete, we will present our findings to the government for approval.”
Deepankar Kakati, an executive engineer of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC), emphasized the challenge of maintaining proper flow paths to prevent inundation. “De-silting works are ongoing, but the task remains daunting,” he said. “We will continue our efforts throughout the year to ensure that the drainage system is functioning properly.”
The waterlogging issue has not only caused inconvenience to residents but has also raised concerns about the overall infrastructure in the area. Residents are urging the authorities to prioritize the restoration of Dargah Road and implement long-term solutions to prevent future waterlogging problems.
