Issue 9

6
City
VOX POP
Guwahati
expansion plan
GREAT
GARBAGE
GATEWAY
GPLUS AUG 24 - AUG 30, 2013
With a constant rise of population in the
capital city of Assam, expansion of the
periphery areas seems to be a top priority
now. The government plans to expand Guwahati
in a planned manner as the city has been witnessing
unplanned growth over the time. With Guwahati expanding
at a fast pace, the entire city is changing with
its greenery diminishing and concrete jungles coming
up everywhere. The GMDA and the GMC had earlier
announced plans for expansion but were unable to
execute them systematically. Although buildings have
come up rapidly in every nook and corner of the city,
many of them have contributed to the unplanned process,
making the city vulnerable from many angles.
Although the government has once again announced
for an expansion plan, it cannot be executed without
a thorough research.
The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority’s
plans to extend the boundaries of the present metropolitan
area is undergoing a difficult phase as the
capital is facing problems from tribal belts surrounding
the city from east, west and south directions and
these areas cannot be included in the proposed plan.
Although it has been planned every time with no action
being taken, this time an immediate solution
must be placed on the table.
Olivia Marchand, Teacher
The growth factor of our city seems exponential and chaotic. Slogans of a greener
and cleaner Guwahati just echo in the air whilst the reality is a periscope view of the
horizon. Growth is good until it is logically explainable, but once the reason starts getting
mixed with the big dreams of a hollow future, the product is less appreciable and more
accountable. What Guwahati needs is to be exhumed from the exploited overgrowth of
meaningless concrete to something more planned and responsible.
Simanta Das, PR Professional
Guwahati is a city, which is surrounded by greenery we get from the towering hills
all around it but they are being cut down ruthlessly to make new areas and roads. In this
way, the green belt is getting destroyed and some of the most beautiful places are no more.
The things that the Northeast was famous for have slowly been laid to rest in the name of
expansion and welfare.
Arshadur Rahman Saikia, Student
Various amenities are required when creating an extended city, out of which water is
of utmost priority. Guwahati has seen a drastic change in terms of expansion but it has not
been able to do much in providing proper water resource. The other problem is the flash
floods which inundate the city. Existent problems should be solved first rather than just
focusing on what needs to be done next.
Bankim P Borah, Advocate
Expansion of any city is mandatory when there is a lack of living space within the
city. But again, outskirts and suburbs of a city mean industries and factories with less
residential settlement and so, expansion should be carried out in a way where people and
industries exist separately, as residential and industrial areas cannot be planned together.
Partha Pratim Pathak, Student
Expansion as we all know is more or less related to development but it will be wrong
to say that expansion is always for the better. Guwahati is expanding but at what cost? In
the name of expansion, we are cutting down trees indiscriminately and destroying fertile
agricultural lands in which big malls and industries will be built thus destroying the scenic
beauty of the region. In due course of time, the adverse effects will increase even more.
I
was walking on the broken footpath, returning from work. The
sun was late to leave the sky that afternoon. Tired from the day’s
sweat and frustration, a pile of garbage lay in front of me like a bed
of roses or that is what I wished. Instantaneously, like a robot programmed
to react throughout life, my forehead did the crunches and
my hands perfectly placed themselves over my nose. I tried to find my
way through this pile of biscuit packets, cola bottles, decaying food
and other things that I’d rather not have seen. Few other passengers of
that footway also seemed to do the same as me but a bit more enthusiastically,
I suppose. The two women in saris, who were few seconds
ahead of me, looked well trained in this venture. As seasoned players
they perfectly lifted their saris to little above ankle length and leaped
right across this mess. I was still hopping. A gentleman was next. He
looked like someone who would join the “senior citizen” club very
soon. As he too made an effort to hold his khakis just above ankle
length, a sentence of anger and concern popped out his mouth. “Kunu
sense nai manuhburor!” (People have no sense!).”
Reaching home, I washed the dirt off. They too probably did the
same. This is not the “Huwoni Axom” we so proudly call home.
Complaints! All we hear are complaints. It’s time ‘WE’, the people
take control. We want our home, our locality, our Axom to be clean,
picturesque but we do not want to get our hands dirty.
Let us wake up and actually take a stand, do something. We remember
our previous generations for bringing us freedom by sacrificing
their lives. What will be our generation remembered for?
Generate awareness, firstly inside you and then spread this awareness
among others. The first effort to throw the packet of garbage into
the dustbin has to be made by us, and only then will the unaware people
learn. Even then, if some remain blind, we can make them see light
by citing our own example. And after much effort, if the very few who
for some reason, refuse to see and remain oblivious, we always are just
one phone call away from reporting to the Municipal Board of our city.
If we are waiting for the change to come, let’s be sure to bring our
favorite pastime. We are protecting our home from the world, while
our insides are rotting, fast. It is time to say, ENOUGH!.
CITIZEN JOURNALIST
Olivia Marchand
You can be a citizen journalist too.
Just mail us your story at editor@g-plus.in