Assam Leader of Opposition (LoP) Debabrata Saikia has formally approached the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC), urging the body to take suo motu cognizance of the recurring and severe waterlogging crisis paralyzing Guwahati. In a scathing letter to AHRC Chairperson Arup Kumar Goswami, the Congress leader characterized the city’s recent flooding as a systemic failure of governance, resulting in the violation of fundamental rights, including the rights to life, livelihood, dignity, and education.
The plea comes in the wake of torrential overnight rainfall that left vast swathes of Guwahati submerged, disrupted traffic, and tragically resulted in the death of a resident. Saikia’s complaint highlights that these recurring inundations should no longer be categorized as “unavoidable natural occurrences” but rather as preventable outcomes of poor civic infrastructure and administrative neglect.
In his detailed representation, the LoP pointed to a “multi-layered failure” of local governance. He specifically cited the lack of implementation of past Gauhati High Court directives and raised serious questions regarding the efficacy of public expenditure. Notably, Saikia referenced RTI documents suggesting that specialized flood management equipment, such as “super sucker” machines, were procured by the Urban Development Department at prices significantly higher than prevailing market rates, calling for an independent audit of these funds.
The communication also addressed the controversial Silsako Beel eviction drive. Saikia noted that while approximately 1,200 houses were demolished in the name of flood mitigation, the intended benefits have failed to materialize, leaving residents displaced without any tangible improvement in the city’s flood resilience.
Beyond the financial and structural concerns, the letter underscores the profound human toll. Saikia highlighted the recurring dangers faced by citizens—ranging from deaths due to uncovered drains and electrocution hazards to the loss of income for daily wage earners and the repeated closure of schools, which he argued constitutes an indirect denial of the right to education.
Saikia has urged the Commission to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the state of the city’s drainage systems and the safety of its infrastructure. He has requested the AHRC to seek a compliance report on High Court orders issued between 2022 and 2024, fix accountability on the officials responsible, and recommend immediate compensation for the victims. Furthermore, he advocated for urgent interim measures, including the covering of open drains and immediate electrical safety audits in waterlogged localities, to prevent further loss of life and restore civic order to the capital city.
