New Silchar’s Basudeb Nagar demonstrates protest over stagnant rainwater

Residents of Basudeb Nagar Lane in New Silchar have been enduring severe flooding issues during the monsoon season for years. Over 35 families have been living in knee-deep stagnant rainwater for weeks after even a single bout of rain. On Friday morning, the affected residents, including men, women, and students, staged a protest and blocked the main road in front of the Urban Water Supply Office near Silchar Medical College.

The protesting residents stated that for the past four to five years, every monsoon season brings knee-high rainwater, which floods their homes due to blocked drains and inadequate drainage systems. Some families have been forced to relocate, while those remaining suffer from waterborne skin diseases. Despite multiple complaints to local representatives and the district administration, no effective measures have been taken to address the issue.

Former Municipal Commissioner Sadhan Purkayastha visited the protest site and discussed the issue with Aniruddha Nag, Executive Engineer of the Public Works Department (PWD). Nag explained that the problem arose from the damage caused by the installation of new water pipes under Assam Government’s AMRUT project. The damaged roads and drains have led to persistent flooding.

Purkayastha emphasized that the flooding in New Silchar is a long-standing issue due to improper drainage of the Langai, Rangirkhal, and Bachai canals. Local authorities and department officials often blame each other, leaving residents to suffer. He warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, around 40,000 people from New Silchar might take to the streets in a larger protest.