Guwahati’s flood of woes

Marshlands comprised about 40 per cent of the present-day city in 1972, and though they are now occupied, the very character of the land has remained unchanged—rainwater still accumulates within the localities and very nearly floods them. Authorities, however, continue to allot land in wetlands, thus exacerbating the problem. In addition, over 2.5 lakh people are estimated to be living—or rather, encroaching—in the hills and 10 reserved forests around Guwahati. It’s not as if they have a choice, thanks to the shortage of space coupled with the authorities’ indifference towards conserving forests and wetlands.

In the meanwhile, the problem perpetuates itself. Rampant earth cutting on the hills has led to a massive washing down of silt, which in turn chokes what passes as the city’s drainage system. And given the lack of a scientific garbage-disposal system, citizens dump their rubbish into drains and on roadsides.

Besides, though Guwahati is touted as the gateway to the Northeast, its sewage system barely exists. Effluents from thousands of septic tanks trickle down into the ground and as the city’s water supply system covers only 25 per cent of the residents, the remaining 75 per cent draw water from the ground ‘enriched’ with septic-tank discharge.

So, what should be done? The Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) has projected a requirement of about Rs 3,200 crore for the overall development of Guwahati, which includes Rs 200 crore for an integrated drainage system, Rs 300 for a sanitation and sewage system and another Rs 200 crore for a storm-water system, apart from Rs 60 crore for solid waste disposal and Rs 300 crore for the restoration and beautification of water bodies.

But, right now, Guwahati Development Minister Himanta Biswa Sharma is busy supervising removal of bridges and other structures that have been obstructing free flow of rainwater in the three natural rivers and streams that flow through the city. “Those found guilty of blocking drains may even have to face arrest,” Sharma warned last week. But the long-term problem remains unaddressed. Successive governments, instead of removing settlers from the hills, have only encouraged them. It was only recently that legislators representing different constituencies cut across party lines to protect the interests of the hill settlers, instead of protecting the hills and saving Guwahati from an endless deluge.