From clogged drains to flooded roads, garbage dumping adds to Guwahati’s monsoon challenges
While poor drainage infrastructure remains a major cause of Guwahati’s recurring waterlogging, residents and civic officials say garbage dumped into drains is worsening the problem during the monsoon. Waste thrown into drainage channels and public spaces can obstruct water flow and worsen waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
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Several areas, including Wireless, Birubari, Hatigaon, Beltola, Six Mile and Maligaon, have reported waterlogging during heavy rain as the monsoon continues.
Residents and commuters said that addressing the problem requires efforts from both civic authorities and citizens. While the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) is responsible for waste management and drain maintenance, they said people also need to avoid dumping garbage in drains and public areas.
An elderly resident near Wireless told GPlus that both the government and citizens must be accountable for keeping the city clean.
“The government is responsible for waste collection and enforcement, but citizens are responsible for not littering in the first place. Accountability goes both ways. Garbage doesn’t magically appear in drains because the government failed. Someone throws it there first,” he said.
A commuter also highlighted how public behaviour affects drainage systems.
“I think some people are also responsible somewhere. Even if the government builds a proper drainage system, people will dump garbage there and block the drainage system,” the commuter said.
Residents said plastic bottles, food packets and other waste are commonly found inside drains. During rainfall, such waste can obstruct the movement of rainwater and contribute to waterlogging on roads.
A shopkeeper near Burubari Tiniali said people need to be more careful about what they throw into drains.
“Citizens must also take note and not throw everything in drains; be it bottles, pads, packets, condoms, diapers and many more. It’s not always the government; often, it is us,” the shopkeeper said.
Students commuting through different parts of the city every day say garbage dumping has become a common sight.
A student of Arya Vidyapeeth College said waste is frequently dumped at a corner near the college premises.
“People make a pile of garbage every day by throwing waste at the corner. As a student of this college, it is a common sight for me. So, it is not always the government, but we, the citizens, too,” the student said.
The student’s observation reflects a larger civic concern; even in areas with garbage collection facilities, some people continue to dump waste on roadsides, vacant spaces and near drains.
The GMC has designated garbage collection systems and collection points across different areas of the city. However, residents say improper disposal of waste continues to create challenges for maintaining drainage systems.
The GMC has said it has taken steps to discourage people from dumping garbage in drains and other public places.
A GMC official said that despite repeated awareness campaigns, people continue to throw waste into drains.
“Despite all our awareness efforts, people still throw garbage in the drain. We have issued penalties against people found throwing garbage in drains,” the official said.
The official also cited a recent instance near Assam Don Bosco University in Azara, where a drain was cleaned but garbage was allegedly dumped again soon after.
“Just yesterday, we cleaned a drain near Assam Don Bosco University, Azara. But now we have received a complaint that someone has again thrown garbage into the drain and blocked it. In such cases, it becomes difficult for us,” the official said.
The issue highlights the challenge faced by civic authorities in managing waste and maintaining drainage systems. While the GMC is responsible for garbage collection and drain cleaning, repeated dumping by residents can affect these efforts.
With the monsoon continuing, residents say Guwahati needs a more effective approach to tackle recurring waterlogging, including improved drainage management, regular cleaning of drainage channels and stricter enforcement against waste dumping. They stressed that while civic authorities have a responsibility to maintain infrastructure and ensure proper waste management, citizens must also play their part by disposing of waste responsibly and avoiding dumping garbage in drains and public spaces.
Residents said long-term solutions require cooperation between the GMC and the public. Regular maintenance, better waste collection systems and increased awareness among citizens can help reduce the impact of heavy rainfall on the city.
With more rain expected in the coming weeks, the challenge for Guwahati remains ensuring that drainage systems remain clean, functional and capable of handling monsoon pressure through consistent maintenance and collective responsibility.