GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court on Tuesday, May 12, directed authorities to take immediate steps to cover open manholes across Guwahati while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) on the public safety risks posed by uncovered drainage systems in the city.
The division bench was hearing PIL/11/2026 filed by Sadou Asom Pragatishil Jagrata Mancha through advocate Sandip Chamaria.
During the hearing, the Court instructed authorities to close open manholes within the next week and directed Dipankar Nath to file an affidavit by May 25 detailing the progress made in covering all open manholes in Guwahati.
During the proceedings, the Public Works Department (PWD) submitted that there were no open drains in Guwahati. However, the Court rejected the claim and expressed concern over the continued presence of uncovered drains and manholes in several parts of the city.
“It’s not something big that we are asking you to do, close the manhole now,” one of the judges observed during the hearing.
The bench also remarked that merely barricading open manholes was not sufficient, stressing that barricading and proper enclosure were two different things and that the situation continued to remain unsafe even after temporary barricades were placed.
“It would be a matter of great shame for all of us if people die just walking into the manhole,” the bench further remarked.
The Court also criticised the authorities over Guwahati’s recurring artificial flooding problem, stating, “You are not being able to arrest the artificial flooding in the city, at least close the manhole. Don’t create death traps for everybody.”
The Commissioner of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) was also asked to remain vigilant, with the bench observing that the Court could summon him at any time regarding the issue.
The matter assumes significance amid rising public concern over open drains in Guwahati, especially during the monsoon season when heavy rainfall frequently triggers artificial flooding across the city.
Recently, a woman died in the Maligaon area after reportedly falling into an open drain during flooding caused by heavy rain, sparking outrage and renewed criticism of the city’s civic infrastructure.
Open drains and uncovered manholes have long remained a major safety concern in Guwahati, particularly during waterlogging when floodwaters make drains nearly invisible. Overflowing drains and poor drainage infrastructure often turn roads and footpaths into dangerous zones for commuters and pedestrians during heavy rainfall.