STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Guwahati’s roads are in a state of disarray, with the Public Works Department (PWD) facing significant challenges in restoring them before the monsoon sets in. The city’s roads have been damaged due to frequent digging by multiple agencies, including the Guwahati Jal Board (GJB), Purba Bharati Gas Private Limited (PBGPL), and Powergrid.
A PWD official, speaking to The Sentinel, highlighted the financial constraints that have hindered large-scale repairs. “PBGPL has an MoU with the government where it doesn’t allocate funds for road restoration. Earlier, GJB used to provide funds, but now the situation has changed. Without financial support, we cannot keep fixing the same roads over and over again.”
The lack of coordination between agencies has resulted in freshly restored roads being dug up again for infrastructure projects, leaving behind uneven surfaces and potholes. Key arterial roads, including Mother Teresa Road, GS Road, and Rajgarh, have been subjected to repeated excavations, worsening their condition ahead of the monsoon.
Selective repairs have also been a point of contention, with GS Road receiving occasional patchwork while other routes remain neglected. A PWD official admitted that restoration work is prioritized based on VIP movements. “We don’t have funds for full-fledged repairs. But when dignitaries visit, we fix the roads they travel on. That’s how things work.”
Residents across the city are growing increasingly frustrated with the authorities’ inaction. A Hatigaon resident expressed concerns over the worsening conditions, saying, “We have been complaining about waterlogged roads for months, but no one listens. Every time it rains, potholes turn into death traps. The authorities only act after a major accident.”
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