Residents await repairs as damaged roads and clogged drains worsen monsoon woes at Gati Ram Rabha Path
Residents of Gati Ram Rabha Path, a residential lane opposite V-Mart on Lokhra Road in Guwahati, say they have been waiting since 2024 for repairs to a damaged road and clogged drains, with another monsoon worsening waterlogging in the locality. They say repeated complaints to the authorities have yet to result in repair work, leaving families to deal with flooded homes, damaged property and unsafe roads.
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According to residents, even a few hours of rainfall are enough to inundate the narrow lane with stagnant water, slush and potholes, making it difficult for pedestrians and vehicles to pass. They say the recurring problem has disrupted daily life and raised concerns about public safety.
Residents said they submitted a written application to the local GMC councillor in 2024 seeking repairs to both the road and the drainage system. Nearly two years later, they say the condition of the road has deteriorated further.
“This road wasn’t like this before. It has been in this condition for the last four to five years. Day by day, its condition keeps getting worse,” a resident told GPlus.
“We tried our best to get it repaired. We went to the councillor and submitted an application, but till today nothing has happened. Children use this road every day to go to school. If someone falls seriously ill, even an ambulance cannot enter because of the condition of the road,” he said.
Another resident said locals had personally visited the councillor’s office in the hope that officials would inspect the area.
“We went to the councillor, but nobody came afterwards. Not a single person visited,” she said.
Residents say the persistent waterlogging is largely due to an inadequate drainage system. According to them, roadside drains remain clogged for long periods, preventing rainwater from flowing out of the locality.
Instead, water from nearby elevated areas accumulates on the road and inside residential premises.
“We have been suffering because of the drains for a long time. We keep informing the councillor, but nobody pays attention. Since the drains aren’t cleaned, rainwater coming down from the higher areas flows directly here. Even a little rainfall is enough for water to enter our homes,” another resident said.
He added that flooding has become so frequent that many families now brace for it every monsoon rather than expect a lasting solution.
A woman living along the road said floodwater now enters her house after almost every spell of rain.
“Earlier, water never entered our home. Now, after every rainfall, the entire ground floor gets flooded. It has become extremely difficult for us, and many household items have been damaged because of the water,” she said.
Residents added that stagnant water often remains in parts of the locality long after the rain stops, creating unhygienic conditions and increasing the risk of accidents.
The damaged road has also become a safety concern for two-wheeler riders.
A young resident said he received a scooter under a government scheme after passing his Class 12 board examinations but finds it difficult to ride on the road because of its condition.
“I received a scooter from the government after my Class 12 board examinations, but I can’t even ride it properly on this road. The wheels keep slipping. Many people have fallen while trying to cross this stretch. Some even slip into the muddy drains,” he said.
He urged the authorities to improve civic infrastructure within residential neighbourhoods as well.
“The government should also pay attention to roads inside localities. If nearby areas are being developed, these lanes should also be repaired. Right now, nobody seems to care,” he said.
Residents said the situation becomes particularly challenging during the monsoon, affecting routine activities such as taking children to school, commuting to work and visiting nearby markets.
When contacted by GPlus, the GMC councillor for Ward No. 26 acknowledged that the road requires repairs but said the work cannot begin until funds are sanctioned by the concerned authorities.
“I have already submitted an application for the repair of this road. As soon as the concerned authorities sanction the funds, the repair work will begin,” the councillor said.
Asked about residents' claims that complaints have been pending since 2024, the councillor said applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This road's repair proposal will be taken up only after the applications submitted before it are approved. I have no other option,” the councillor said.
As another monsoon continues, residents of Gati Ram Rabha Path say they remain hopeful that the long-pending road and drainage repairs will finally be taken up. Until then, they say every spell of rain brings renewed concerns over waterlogging, damaged property and difficult access to their neighbourhood.