Guwahati: GMCH link road becomes daily nightmare for Kachari Basti residents

Stagnant water, and lack of coordination push locals to the edge

Staff Reporter

Guwahati: Once envisioned as a crucial connector between Ganeshguri and the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), the GMCH Link Road at Kachari Basti has now turned into a stretch of suffering for residents and commuters. Marked by waterlogging, broken infrastructure, and constant construction, the road has become a daily ordeal instead of the urban lifeline it was meant to be.

Locals complain that the road has remained perpetually under construction for years, with no coordination among government departments. Clouds of dust, open drains, potholes, and sudden ditches have made commuting hazardous. “This isn’t development—it’s negligence disguised as work,” said a resident, expressing frustration over the delay and deterioration.

Even newly laid portions of the road reportedly do not last long. “They build, dig, and rebuild again—only for it to collapse within weeks. It’s a vicious cycle,” said another resident, pointing at a sinking patch.

The situation is worse during monsoons. Water-filled potholes turn the road into a deathtrap, while stagnant pools become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, raising fears of dengue and malaria. Emergency services have also been hit hard. “There have been instances where ambulances couldn’t reach patients in time. Even hospital staff are delayed,” revealed a GMCH official.

For students and shopkeepers, the road is both a physical and economic burden. Students from nearby colleges describe their daily commute as “an obstacle course,” while shopkeepers report a sharp decline in footfall. “People avoid coming here. Business is suffering, and so are we,” a local shop owner said.

Despite multiple complaints, no lasting solution has been implemented. Residents allege a lack of accountability among the Public Works Department (PWD), Jal Board, and other agencies responsible for the upkeep of the road.

As yet another monsoon season deepens the crisis, the residents of Kachari Basti continue to ask: how long will this vital road remain stuck between promises and problems?

Also Read: Assam: Road condition hampers access to Guwahati Medical College and Hospital

Also Watch: