A week after the last shower, city road still under waters

Where monsoons mean more agonies than respite

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, Oct 2: Monsoon showers may give relief from the heat and humidity to some Guwahati residents, but for locals of the Downtown-Dwarkagar-Sachal road in the city, they are a nightmare.

While the last rainfall in the city was about a week back, the road - that connects GS Road to VIP Road - is still under waters even today. Seven long days is not enough for the rain water on the road to drain out.

"This road - especially the Sachal Tiniali area - is under waters throughout the rainy season. Since April, there were hardly a few days when it was not under waters. This road in the heart of the capital city is a glaring specimen of the State government's failure," says a businessman who owns a shop on the road.

During the dry season, there is no reprieve either. The filth and dust on the road gives a commuter a harrowing experience.

The government had repaired the road a few years back, but the respite was short-lived.

Locals say there is no proper discharge outlet on the road.

"The draige system is faulty. The clogged water on the road and in the drain remains at the same level. The water does not flow out and remains clogged in the area," says a local resident.

The locals have sent several reminders to the government, but the perennial problem of the area remains uddressed.

There are reports of frequent motorcycle mishaps in the area, especially during nighttime. Most of the accidents are because the motorcyclists are uble to comprehend the potholes in the inundated road.