Central Guwahati Residents Prioritize Land Ownership Over Infrastructure Development

Imphal, India Jul 28, 2026 ALN:  Even as the Assam government rolls out a series of road infrastructure projects for Central Guwahati's hill localities, residents say their foremost demand remains unchanged - legal ownership of the land they have called home for decades.

Across hill settlements such as Kalapani Hill, Dwarka Nagar, Krishnanagar Hill, Kalyan Nagar Hill, Sankardev Nagar Hill, Adingiri Hill, Jakaikona Hill, Kalikhola Hill, Wireless Shantipur-Madhura Nagar Hill, Saraswati Hill, Segunbari Hill and Laxmi Mandir Hill, people continue to grapple with poor roads, erratic drinking water supply and inadequate civic amenities. These issues are compounded by a lack of legal recognition, which many residents believe is the root cause of their ongoing struggles.

For many families, these infrastructural issues take a back seat to a longstanding demand for land pattas, which they say would provide “legal security and dignity” after decades of uncertainty. The absence of land ownership not only affects their day-to-day lives but also influences their sense of identity and belonging in a rapidly urbanizing environment.

The issue resurfaced in the Assam Legislative Assembly on Monday when Central Guwahati MLA Vijay Kumar Gupta highlighted the poor condition of roads and internal link roads in the constituency's hill areas. This statement underscores a growing recognition among policymakers of the challenges faced by residents, although it remains to be seen whether this acknowledgment will translate into effective action.

Replying on behalf of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who also holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio, Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika informed the House that several road projects had either been taken up or proposed under different government schemes. This response reflects the government's approach of addressing infrastructural deficits as a priority, yet it is clear that many residents feel such measures alone are insufficient.

These include the Dwarka Nagar-Kalapani road, Kalyan Nagar-Jayanagar road, Ambari Wireless-Madhyatila road, Shaheed Kumud Gogoi Path, Bishnu Rabha Path, Gobinda Path, Adingiri Baptist Church Road, Ambari Wireless-Kailashpur road, Milan Nagar Road and the Kanaklata Path-Kalapani Main Road link. Despite the announcement of these projects, residents argue that infrastructure development alone cannot address their biggest concern: the lack of legal land ownership.

"The roads have remained in a deplorable condition for years. But before talking about roads, the government should fulfil its promise of providing land pattas. Without ownership rights, people continue to live with uncertainty despite living here for generations," said Bandip Dutta, a resident of Central Guwahati. His comments highlight a sentiment echoed by many in the community who feel that their basic rights to land must be prioritized over infrastructural improvements.

Echoing the sentiment, resident Ratan Poddar said the demand for land pattas had remained unresolved for nearly four decades. "We have heard promises about land pattas for nearly 40 years. Governments have changed, representatives have changed, but the issue remains unresolved. Development has meaning only when people have security over the land they call home," he said. This long-standing struggle for land rights illustrates a broader issue of land tenure insecurity that affects many informal settlements across India.

For many elderly residents, the absence of legal ownership has overshadowed every developmental initiative undertaken over the years. Senior citizen Basanta Sen Deka said the government should first honour its commitment to indigenous families residing in the hill areas. "The roads certainly require attention. But the Chief Minister had spoken about providing land pattas to indigenous families living in these hills. That promise should be honoured first. What purpose do roads serve if families still do not have legal ownership of the land beneath their homes?" he said. This perspective emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach to development that integrates land rights with infrastructural investment.

Deka also pointed to the area's persistent drinking water crisis. "We receive water under the JICA project, but the supply is neither regular nor adequate. Water scarcity continues to affect our daily lives," he said. His comments reflect a common concern among residents regarding the quality and reliability of basic services, which are essential for maintaining a decent standard of living.

Residents of Segunbari Bishnu Nagar voiced similar concerns over unfinished internal roads and irregular water supply. Gautam Bora said several by-lanes remained incomplete despite work having commenced. "The drinking water problem has persisted despite assurances made years ago. Even the JICA project has not benefited everyone equally," he said. This statement underscores the disparity in access to resources and services that can often occur in urban environments.

"Some works have been undertaken through MLA funds, but people are still waiting for meaningful improvement. Alongside infrastructure, the land patta issue deserves immediate attention," Bora added. His remarks highlight the frustration felt by residents who have seen limited progress despite previous investments in their communities.

Gokul Rajbongshi said recurring election promises had done little to address residents' concerns. "Some roads have been built, but many internal lanes remain neglected. Every representative acknowledges our problems, yet the larger issues continue. Land pattas have been promised repeatedly, but nothing has changed. Until that is resolved, people will continue to feel insecure," he said. This cycle of unfulfilled promises raises questions about the accountability of elected officials and the effectiveness of governance in addressing the needs of marginalized communities.

A similar view was expressed by Nilakanta Das, a senior citizen from Adingiri Hill, who said development must begin with legal security. "Our problems include poor drainage, drinking water shortages and the absence of land pattas," he said. "Without legal ownership, families live with constant fear about their future. The government should first resolve the patta issue and then proceed with other development works." His perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of land rights and other social determinants of health and well-being.

For thousands living in Central Guwahati's hill settlements, they say, the foundation of development is not merely better roads, but the legal assurance that the land beneath their homes is finally their own. This ongoing struggle for land ownership reflects broader themes of social justice, equity, and the right to the city, which are increasingly relevant in discussions about urban development in India. As urbanization continues to accelerate, the voices of residents in Central Guwahati serve as a reminder of the need for inclusive policies that prioritize the rights and dignity of all citizens, particularly those in vulnerable positions.