Dust and pollution near construction sites
Over the past few years, the city has been undergoing rapid transformation. New roads, flyovers, commercial complexes, and residential buildings are being built to accommodate the growing population and modernize the city’s infrastructure. While such development is welcome, the manner in which many construction projects are being executed is creating serious environmental and public health hazards.
One of the most visible and immediate impacts is the rising level of airborne dust. Construction materials are often stored in open spaces without any covering. Trucks carrying sand, gravel, and cement ply the city roads without proper tarpaulin covering, spilling fine particles into the air. In addition, road excavation and building demolition works frequently leave behind mounds of debris for days, which, when exposed to wind and vehicular movement, disperse harmful particulate matter into surrounding neighbourhoods.
Residents experience the consequences daily. Dust accumulation on homes, shops, and vehicles has become a common sight. Pedestrians and shopkeepers along busy streets often complain of coughing, throat irritation, and burning eyes. Medical practitioners have also observed a rise in respiratory ailments, particularly among children and the elderly. Such pollution not only degrades the quality of life but also poses long-term health risks that cannot be ignored.
It is important to stress that development and environmental protection are not mutually exclusive. Cities around the world have successfully managed both by enforcing strict dust-control measures at construction sites. In our context, this means mandating that all construction materials be properly covered, making water sprinkling at active sites compulsory, ensuring debris is cleared without delay, and penalising violators who disregard these rules. Regular inspection and monitoring by municipal and pollution control authorities should be made a priority, supported by public awareness campaigns to encourage compliance.
If timely steps are not taken, the current levels of dust and pollution will only worsen as the city continues to expand. It is our collective responsibility—authorities, contractors, and citizens alike—to ensure that Guwahati develops into a clean, healthy, and liveable city, rather than one where unchecked urbanization compromises public well-being.
Bhupali Chakrabarty,
Gauhati University
Chameleons
We know that chameleons are lizard-like creatures who can change their colours according to the situation. In today’s cutthroat politics prevailing in the nation, ideology hardly matters. The chameleons are totally dominating modern-day politics and are now unfortunately guiding the nation’s future and destiny. In this regard we must quote the names of Akhil Gogoi, Ripun Bora, and Udhav Thakeray, to name a few, who are behaving like chameleons to fool us.
While doing so, they ought to remember that one cannot fool all the people all the time.
Dr. Ashim Chowdhury,
Guwahati
Positive impact of eviction in Assam
In a dramatic sweep, Assam’s 2025 eviction drives have cleared enormous tracts of government land, forests, and heritage areas. Praised as a visionary move to safeguard indigenous rights and the environment but criticized for its human cost, the campaign has sparked one of the year’s hottest debates. Despite debates, I can see some great positive impacts.
Extensive areas illegally occupied were reclaimed and returned to the indigenous people and communities, which ensures the rightful use of resources for farming, settlements, and livelihood. This achievement is considered to be a step towards enhancing the socio-economic security of the local people. Meanwhile, the majority of the historically important areas were freed from encroachment, enabling better conservation, tourism value, and preservation of Assam’s cultural heritage.
Demolition of illegal structures from reserve forests and protected zones has also restored ecological balance, reduced human-wildlife conflict and secured the habitats of endangered species. All these are destined to enhance the state’s biodiversity for centuries to come.
Every action sparks both positive and negative outcomes. While the challenges cannot be ignored, it is equally important to focus on the positive aspects to ensure a better and more sustainable future.
Pragyan Rajmohan,
Charaideo