Link Road have been submerged under stagnant rainwater, making daily movement difficult for residents
KRC TIMES Barak Valley Bureau
Silchar: The arrival of monsoon rains has once again exposed the fragile civic infrastructure in New Silchar, where several localities are reeling under severe waterlogging. Lanes along Link Road have been submerged under stagnant rainwater, making daily movement difficult for residents.
Locals say the situation repeats every year, despite tall claims of urban development. With water collecting in low-lying areas, many residents are now forced to wade through dirty, stagnant water just to step out of their homes.
“Everyone talks about development, but if even half of it was done, we wouldn’t have to walk through drain water,” said a resident, expressing frustration over what they described as long-standing neglect.
The problem has been compounded by a damaged pipeline of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) department, which is reportedly leaking and adding to the accumulation of water on the streets. At the same time, clogged roadside drains have failed to carry rainwater away, leading to frequent overflows.
In several pockets, the situation has turned worse as water has entered residential houses, damaging household items and raising concerns about health risks. Residents fear that prolonged stagnation could lead to mosquito breeding and the spread of diseases.
Garbage dumped into open drains has further choked the already weak drainage network. Locals allege that irregular cleaning and lack of maintenance have allowed the problem to persist for years.
Many residents have blamed both ruling and opposition leaders, saying the issue has remained unresolved despite repeated complaints and assurances. They argue that poor planning and absence of a proper drainage system have made the area vulnerable to flooding every monsoon.
Residents are now demanding immediate intervention from the authorities. They have called for urgent cleaning of drains, repair of the damaged pipeline, and a long-term upgrade of the drainage infrastructure to prevent such recurring problems.
With more rainfall expected in the coming weeks, the situation may worsen if timely action is not taken, residents warned.
