Guwahati: Desiltation Drive Turns Messy; Residents Frustrated Amid Pre-Monsoon Showers

City residents decry poor execution amid pre-monsoon showers

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: As pre-monsoon showers lashed the city, Guwahati residents are voicing growing frustration over the poorly executed de-siltation drive that has left several Guwahati areas in disarray. What was meant to be a crucial pre-monsoon preventive measure has instead added to public woes, with allegations of mismanagement, lack of coordination, and disregard for standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The de-siltation initiative, a joint effort by the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the Public Works Department (PWD), is being carried out under the supervision of the Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA), which is tasked with overseeing the city’s drainage system. The campaign aims to clean drains across the city to reduce the risk of water-logging during the upcoming monsoon.

While super sucker machines are being used to clean major roads and thoroughfares, manual de-silting is underway in smaller lanes and residential areas. However, citizens allege that the removed silt is being dumped on roadsides and left unattended for days, creating unsanitary conditions and worsening the situation as rains begin.

To address such issues, a revised SOP was introduced in February this year. It clearly mandates that silt be cleared and transported from the site on the same day it is removed. To ensure compliance, the administration deployed a team of 21 urban technical officers to monitor the de-siltation process. Yet, implementation remains inconsistent, with several areas such as Latakata Path (Basistha), RG Baruah Road (Zoo Road), Maanpara, Datalpara (Fatasil Ambari), Chandmari, and Boragaon reporting delays and lapses.

Despite the complaints, GMC officials have dismissed the allegations, maintaining that the corporation is diligently performing its duties. The civic body claims that it is actively monitoring the work and making efforts to ensure timely silt removal. On the other hand, a senior official from the PWD’s New Guwahati division acknowledged the challenges in fully adhering to the SOP. He cited logistical hurdles, noting that even after de-silting is completed, additional time is often required to transport the silt to disposal sites. He urged citizens to report specific complaints for quicker resolution and assured that all departments are doing their best within the constraints of available resources.

Nonetheless, residents remain sceptical. Many feel that the disconnect between planning and ground-level execution is too wide, leaving the city exposed to potential flooding and sanitation risks just as the monsoon approaches. Citizens continue to call for better inter-departmental coordination and timely action to ensure that the de-siltation drive fulfils its intended purpose instead of compounding urban challenges.

Also Read: Guwahati: ‘Garbage dumping in drains’ worsens waterlogging in city

Also Watch: