GUWAHATI: Residents of the Satgaon area in Guwahati have urged the district administration and the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) to take immediate action against the worsening waterlogging problem and the slow pace of footpath construction on Satgaon Main Road.
Advocate Ajoy Hazarika, secretary of the Consumers' Legal Protection Forum, Assam, and Niribili Path Unnayan Samiti, submitted a formal complaint on Wednesday to the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup (Metro) and the GMC Commissioner, highlighting the severe difficulties faced by commuters on the stretch from Patharquary to Narengi Army Camp.
According to the complaint, even brief rainfall causes severe waterlogging on the road, disrupting movement for pedestrians and vehicles alike. The road, which connects several important institutions and residential areas, is used daily by Army personnel from Narengi Army Camp, as well as students and guardians of Kendriya Vidyalaya Narengi, Army Public School, and St Francis de Sales School.
Residents said the problem has become worse due to the incomplete footpath construction work on one side of the road. The project has been moving at a slow pace for a long time, and the lack of proper drainage has left several portions of the road submerged during rains.
The worst-affected area is reportedly near Roodraksh Kundan Apartment, where water accumulates heavily, forcing schoolchildren and pedestrians to walk through dirty water. Locals say this not only causes inconvenience but also increases the risk of accidents, traffic congestion, and health problems.
Talking to GPlus, Rupam Das, a resident of Satgaon said, "We face this problem every time it rains. The water remains on the road for hours, and it becomes almost impossible to walk safely. Children going to school suffer the most because they are forced to wade through dirty water."
Another resident, Madhumita Kalita, said the incomplete footpath work has only worsened the condition of the road. “The construction has been going on for months, but there is no visible progress. Because of this, the drainage has become blocked and the road remains flooded. The authorities should complete the work quickly before the monsoon becomes more severe,” she said.
In the complaint, Hazarika warned that if urgent measures are not taken, the poor condition of the road could lead to a serious mishap. He requested the authorities to conduct a field inspection, improve the drainage system, resolve the waterlogging issue permanently, and complete the ongoing footpath work without further delay.
“The present condition of the road is causing immense hardship to thousands of daily commuters. Immediate intervention is necessary to ensure safer movement for school children and the public,” the complaint stated.
However, talking to GPlus, an official from GMC said, "Once the ongoing construction work is completed, the drainage system in the area is expected to function properly, which will help resolve the persistent waterlogging problem. We are hopeful that the situation will improve permanently and that commuters will no longer face the difficulties currently being experienced on this stretch of road.”